Chiesa Greco-Ortodossa di San Nicolo (Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolo), Trieste
The Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolo greets the sea with the kind of poise only Trieste could pull off. Built between 1784 and 1787, it rose soon after Empress Maria Theresa gave the city鈥檚 Greek Orthodox community the official nod in 1782, granting merchants and sailors the freedom to worship openly. Fittingly, they chose Saint Nicholas, the patron of sailors, as their dedication. The architect gave the church a look in line with Habsburg taste: late Baroque softened with clean Neoclassical lines.
From the outside, the design is measured鈥攕ix Doric pilasters, a triangular pediment, and two squared bell towers facing the water like a watchful pair. The interior features marble floors stretched beneath gilded chandeliers, a carved pulpit rises beside a richly decorated iconostasis, and icons from Greece, Venice, and Russia gleam in gold and silver. Biblical scenes crowd the walls and ceilings: Christ in Glory dominates the dome, the Evangelists and Apostles line the sides, while Triestine painter Cesare dell鈥橝cqua left his mark with works like The Sermon of John in the Desert.
The plan itself follows Orthodox tradition: three apses, a women鈥檚 gallery, and a choir balcony, with Saint Nicholas鈥檚 candlelit icon anchoring the presbytery. The artistry blends Byzantine spirituality with Italian craft, a reminder that this port city has always thrived on hybrid identities.
The church is a pause from Trieste鈥檚 bustle鈥攑erfectly positioned by the Grand Canal and Unity of Italy Square, where history, art, and sea air come together in one serene corner.
From the outside, the design is measured鈥攕ix Doric pilasters, a triangular pediment, and two squared bell towers facing the water like a watchful pair. The interior features marble floors stretched beneath gilded chandeliers, a carved pulpit rises beside a richly decorated iconostasis, and icons from Greece, Venice, and Russia gleam in gold and silver. Biblical scenes crowd the walls and ceilings: Christ in Glory dominates the dome, the Evangelists and Apostles line the sides, while Triestine painter Cesare dell鈥橝cqua left his mark with works like The Sermon of John in the Desert.
The plan itself follows Orthodox tradition: three apses, a women鈥檚 gallery, and a choir balcony, with Saint Nicholas鈥檚 candlelit icon anchoring the presbytery. The artistry blends Byzantine spirituality with Italian craft, a reminder that this port city has always thrived on hybrid identities.
The church is a pause from Trieste鈥檚 bustle鈥攑erfectly positioned by the Grand Canal and Unity of Italy Square, where history, art, and sea air come together in one serene corner.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Trieste. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Chiesa Greco-Ortodossa di San Nicolo (Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolo) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa Greco-Ortodossa di San Nicolo (Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolo)
Sight Location: Trieste, Italy (See walking tours in Trieste)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Trieste, Italy (See walking tours in Trieste)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Trieste, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Trieste
Creating your own self-guided walk in Trieste is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Trieste Introduction Walking Tour
Let鈥檚 drop into Trieste, a city that鈥檚 always had one foot in Central Europe and the other dipping into the Adriatic. It sits at Italy鈥檚 northeastern edge, pressed against Slovenia, where winds tear across the Karst Plateau and caves open like gateways underground. Some call it 鈥淰ienna by the Sea,鈥� others swear it鈥檚 the 鈥淐ity of Coffee,鈥� but labels never really fit. From the start,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Trieste's Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour
The Roman remains on Trieste extend along the northwestern slope of San Giusto Hill, overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. Wharves of sandstone slabs dating from the 1st century AD were found by the Roman Theatre. The city walls, ordered by Augustus, were converted to use as terraces.
The Propylaeum of the 1st century AD was the gateway to the sacred area of the Capitoline Temple. There are two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Propylaeum of the 1st century AD was the gateway to the sacred area of the Capitoline Temple. There are two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles