Hidden in the Southern Alps of Switzerland, the tiny village of Corippo was once on the edge of disappearing. In 2019, only nine elderly people lived there. It was known as the smallest municipality in Switzerland.
Located in Ticino, an Italian-speaking area, Corippo feels like a village frozen in time. It has narrow stone streets and quiet surroundings, with only the sound of the church bell. There’s just one small road that leads to the village.
To save Corippo, locals turned the village into Switzerland’s first “Albergo Diffuso”, or widespread hotel, in 2022. This hotel style uses old village homes as guest rooms, giving tourists a chance to live like locals. The project helped bring life and economy back to the village.
Now, Corippo Albergo Diffuso has 10 cozy rooms, a small restaurant (osteria), and offers food inspired by Italian and French styles. The hotel is managed by a couple, Jeremy Gehring and Désirée Voitle, who live there full-time with their three children — the village’s youngest residents.
Though tourists are now visiting Corippo, the village will stay as it is. Its protected status keeps its original look and charm.
Corippo is over 700 years old and once had 315 residents in 1850. Over time, people left due to changes in farming and work. But now, visitors are returning to experience the peaceful lifestyle.
The nearby Verzasca Valley offers fun outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and biking. You can visit Ponte dei Salti, a beautiful stone bridge, or try local dishes like polenta and risotto in small taverns called grottos.
Movie fans might enjoy seeing the Verzasca Dam, featured in a James Bond film. There’s even a bungee jump for thrill-seekers.
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