The Smallest Village in Switzerland Has Been Saved From Disappearing—For Now

Despite its picturesque setting in the heart of Switzerland’s Southern Alps, Corippo isn’t a tourist hot spot. In 2019, it was on the brink of becoming a ghost town as its population dwindled to just nine residents, all of whom were elderly. This earned Corippo the title of smallest municipality in Switzerland, prompting news headlines as local officials scrambled to save the village from depopulation.

A fairy-tale-like hamlet in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, Corippo has only one narrow road leading to it. When I visited it in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I didn’t meet a single person while wandering its narrow alleyways lined with stone buildings—typical of the Verzasca Valley where it’s located. In many ways, this village felt as if it were frozen in time, only a ringing clock tower bell served as a reminder of every passing hour.

In 2022, Corippo became Switzerland’s first Albergo Diffuso (or widespread hotel), a concept native to Italy, but still relatively new to Switzerland. Unlike in a traditional hotel, where rooms are located in one building, rooms in an Albergo Diffuso are scattered throughout historic structures in the area, allowing tourists to stay among locals and enjoy a more authentic atmosphere.

The Fondazione Corippo, a local organization tasked with preserving the village, came up with the idea of Corippo Albergo Diffuso to boost the local economy after many residents left the area. The hotel rooms are located in previously abandoned buildings, which have been carefully restored to bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations.

The managers, Jeremy Gehring and Désirée Voitle, live in Corippo full-time with their son and twin daughters—the youngest residents of the village. “We heard about the Albergo Diffuso in Corippo by chance on the radio and decided to apply for the management (position),” Voitle said.

Today, Corippo Albergo Diffuso has 10 rooms and welcomes visitors year-round. Its cozy accommodations have rustic charm and an on-site osteria (restaurant) that serves gourmet dishes from the southern part of the Alps on a spacious terrace. The approach to cooking is Italian, but with French techniques.

Records show Corippo dates back more than 700 years, and had 315 residents at its peak in 1850. As rural agriculture declined and migration intensified in the 20th century, the population steadily decreased. But things are starting to look up for Corippo. As the Albergo Diffuso generated renewed interest, dozens of tourists flocked to this remote mountain village to see what the buzz was about.

Although the project has brought more visitors to the area, the village is unlikely to change because of its protected status. That’s the essence of the Albergo Diffuso concept—to develop a hotel in historic structures with minimal modifications to their original appearance.

While you can spend a night in Corippo and enjoy the quiet lifestyle, the surrounding Verzasca Valley demands more time. The 25-kilometer (15.5-mile) glacial valley boasts superb outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and mountain biking. Just an eight-minute drive from Corippo is Ponte dei Salti, a photogenic stone bridge over the Verzasca River, a popular launching point for a refreshing swim on a hot summer day.

I stopped in the area as part of my road trip through Verzasca, where dozens of small villages similar to Corippo dot the postcard-worthy landscape. It’s hard not to fall in love with Verzasca as you drive along the jade-colored river, cutting through the valley’s heart and plunging waterfalls on each side.

The area is home to emerald-hued pools, scenic trails with bright alpine flowers, and dreamy grottos—small taverns where you can try Ticino staples like polenta and risotto. Movie buffs should check out the Verzasca Dam, a major draw of the valley featured in the opening scene of “GoldenEye,” part of the James Bond film series. A 220-meter (more than 720-foot) bungee jump offers a chance to relive Bond’s legendary move.

Despite being a hub of adventure, life in Verzasca is unhurried. The valley offers a perfect blend of exciting outdoor adventures and a quiet rural lifestyle within driving distance from Lugano, the biggest city in southern Switzerland.

“We simply love the beauty of it,” Voitle said about living in Corippo. “From here, we enjoy the natural surroundings: the changing seasons, the clear water, the fresh air, the greenery, and the calm. The quality of the elements without artifice.”