The Waldensian Church in Prali, situated in the hamlet of Ghigo, is a place that combines spirituality, contemporary architecture and the historical heritage of the local area. Built in the 1960s (inaugurated in 1962 to a design by engineer Nino Frizzoni and characterised by a very modern Alpine architectural style), it welcomes visitors and worshippers into a simple, light-filled space that embodies the values of the Waldensian tradition. Inside, it houses the ancient 18th-century pews from the previous church and a large stone mosaic depicting the tree of life, the candelabrum, the chalice and the cross, through which the rivers of life flow. Situated at 1,455 metres above sea level, it is the highest Waldensian church in all the Alpine valleys. It hosts the local community’s services every Sunday at 10.30 am throughout the year.
A short walk from the modern church, one can see the bell tower of the ancient Waldensian Church of Prali, which dates back to 1556. It is the only place of worship in the Waldensian Valleys to have survived the destruction that took place during the persecutions of the 17th century, when around three thousand Waldensians were forced into exile and found refuge in Switzerland and Germany. Today, the historic church houses the Prali Waldensian Museum, which recounts centuries of history, faith and daily life within the Waldensian community through documents, artefacts and testimonies. The municipal area is also home to the Waldensian Church of Rodoretto, one of the tallest historic places of worship in the Waldensian Valleys.
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