Mario Botta's Granatkapelle in Tirol's Zillertal Valley

Casting a sentinel gaze across Austria's Zillertal on top of the Penkenjoch, Mayrhofen, the Garnet Chapel (Granatkapelle) is a sculptured architectural piece perched solo in the raw mountainous of Tirol's Zillertal Valley. 

Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the Garnet Chapel adopts the garnet crystal form of a dodecahedron. The form is strikingly memoirist, set against the bare Alpine terrain –the metal facade is especially stark in the winter set against a canvas of snow. This chapel is a testament to the connection between nature and abstract design. Perched at 1,800 meters above sea level, the Garnet Chapel is a pilgrimage site, whether for spiritual solace or out of interest for standout architecture. The journey to reach it is part of the experience, with the surrounding peaks of the Kitzbühel Alps offering a breathtaking backdrop that shifts with the seasons. Whether you're visiting in the crisp air of autumn or the snow-kissed silence of winter, the chapel's presence is both grounding and awe-inspiring.

Mario Botta, a name synonymous with bold geometric forms and a deep respect for the environment (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Church of San Giovanni Battista in Mogno, Italy, and MART – Italy's bastion of art and architecture), brings his distinctive touch to this project. The chapel's design is inspired by the form of a garnet—a stone that has held significance in the region for centuries. The structure itself is a modern take on traditional alpine architecture, with its hexagonal shape and a roof that rises like a gemstone emerging from the earth.

The exterior is clad in copper, which, over time, has developed a rusted patina, allowing the chapel to blend even more with its surroundings. Inside, the simplicity of the space is striking. There's a sense of intimacy, a feeling that you're part of something much larger than yourself. The play of light through the narrow windows creates a meditative atmosphere, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.

But it's not just the architecture that captivates; it's also the materials and use of larch timbers, concrete and art within. The Garnet Chapel is dedicated to Engelbert Kolland and Markus Thurner, a local artist known for bringing wood to life, has created powerful religious symbols made from larch wood that serve as the chapel's centrepiece. Thurner created bronze sculptures of Engelbert Holland, whose pieces add a nod to the resilience of the local people in these parts of the Tirolean Alps. 

The Mayrhofner Bergbahnen and Finkenberger Almbahnen cable cars offer a quick and easy ride up the Penken mountain. You can also use the Horbergbahn, Penkenbahn, FinkenbergerAlmbahn, Rastkogelbahn and Eggalmbahn cable cars to access the ski region in winter.

The Granatalm mountain lodge is on the sunny Penkenjoch plateau, next to the mountain stations. In summer, you can access the Granatalm Mountain Lodge directly via the Finkenberger Almbahn cable car. Alternatively, you can reach it on foot from the Finkenberger Almbahnmid-station (about a 1- to 1.5-hour walk), from the Penkenbahn mountain station (a 1.5-hour walk along the panoramic route), or the Kombibahn mountain station (a 30-minute walk). 

There are also numerous Alpine hiking paths for fit hikers from Mayrhofen, Finkenberg or Lanersbach. A hike up the mountain takes between 2.5 and 4 hours, or you can cycle. 

The Garnet Chapel isn't just a building—it's an experience, a journey, a moment of connection between the earthly and the ethereal. It's a place where you can lose yourself in the silence of the mountains, where art and architecture merge to create something truly magical. For those lucky enough to find it, the chapel offers more than just a view—it provides a glimpse into the soul of Tirol itself.