Aurelio Galfetti's brutalist entrance at Castelgrande, located in Swiss Alps forms a compelling architectural dialogue between medieval history and modern intervention, captured in Simone Bossi’s photography.
Aurelio Galfetti's intervention in 1989, part of a larger restoration effort, embraced the philosophy of "Preserve = Transform." Galfetti's design introduced a brutalist entrance to the medieval structure, blending the raw stone walls of the past with precise, contemporary geometries. His work did not seek to diminish the grandeur of the ancient but instead invited a conversation between eras, with modern architecture paying tribute to history without subordination. The clean, stark lines of Galfetti’s addition form a striking contrast with the rugged Alpine surroundings, embodying the friction—and harmony—between past and present.
Italian photographer Simone Bossi’s series focuses exclusively on this entrance, highlighting the dialogue between natural and man-made forms. His photography strips away the narrative of history to reveal an architectural purity—where Galfetti’s brutalist vision meets the rock in perfect tension. Bossi’s lens lingers on the geometric austerity of the entrance, capturing how this intervention disrupts yet complements the organic landscape. Through his minimalist approach, Bossi illustrates how architecture can both defy and enhance its natural setting, adding a layer of timelessness to the fortifications.
Galfetti’s project extended beyond just the entrance; he reimagined Castelgrande as an urban space with deep connections to the surrounding landscape. His vision was to not only restore a historical monument but to give it contemporary relevance. A minimal park—comprising stone walls, sparse trees, and a pool of water—anchors the castle to the larger urban fabric of Bellinzona. This space acts as a transitional zone, guiding visitors through the historical site while framing views of the Alps and Lake Maggiore below, thereby linking the past’s grandeur with the beauty of the present.
