San Nicolo

Riva Tre Novembre, 7, Trieste, Italy

There is a large Greek community in Trieste. The construction of this sacred building dates back to 1782 when the Greek community separated from the Orthodox Serb community because of serious disagreements. After years of work, the last facade was finished in 1819 by the famous local architect, Matteo Pertsch, who - with perfect neoclassical rigour - decorated it with six ionic columns which support a tympaneum flanked by two bell towers. The small courtyard and gate were also designed by Pertsch.

The building's interior is particularly rich, with icons and seats reserved for the most important local Greek families. There are two paintings by Cesare dell'Acqua on the walls which depict a Blessing Jesus (1854) and Saint John Preaching (1852). Other pictures adorn the pulpit, the choir, and the gynaeceum, while the icons contain precious works of Venetian and Muscovite goldsmithery. The annexed Museum of the Community contains some important Venetian, Cretan, and Greek icons.

This building is located in the heart of the city, near all the historical cafes, the new pedestrian areas, and the old town.

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Madonna del Mare

Piazzale Rosmini, 6, Trieste, Italy

Relatively recently built, this is one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Trieste. Located on the San Vito hill, near the city centre, it is a large structure with three naves and stunning stone walls. It was built between 1948 and 1954, in a modern, roman style and is home to a lovely group of Franciscan friars who live in the adjacent building, built in 1938. Opposite the church is a large piazza, perfect for parking, and a small garden with some games for children and an skating rink. There is also an internal courtyard perfect for a game of football or basketball. Mass is packed here on Sunday mornings.

Basilica di San Silvestro

Piazza San Silvestro, 1, Trieste, Italy

On the San Giusto hill, five minutes from the Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia, is the oldest church in the city. It dates from the paleo-Christian era and is a small building in a clear Roman taste, with some gothic accents, such as the windows near the belltower. Through the centuries, the building has undergone many facelifts and restorations, especially in the baroque and neoclassic periods. With the Edict of Giuseppe II in 1784 and the annulment of the Jesuit order, San Sivestro was closed along with twelve other Trieste churches and put up for auction. It passed into the hands of the Valdese community in 1927 and still belongs to them today.

The building was built from sandstone blocks, and is in a rectangular shape without apses. The interior is divided into two rows with three columns and the presbytery is covered by a vaulted transept. There are still some traces of the frescoes that used to decorate the naves.

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Tempio Mariano

Localitontovello, 455, Trieste, Italy

The people of Trieste refer affectionately to this temple as the little cheese because of its triangular shape. In fact, the Mariano Temple of Monte Grisa is an extraordinary construction. Its bulk dominates the whole city and the beautiful gulf below it. It is on one of the most beautiful and attractive parts of the Carso and the view from the top is breathtaking. It is definitely worth making the tortuous ascent up to the church.

It was built under the wishes of the then bishop Antonio Santin in 1945. It was built for diplomatic reasons during the war over Italian sovereignty over Trieste (which was challenged by Yugoslavian troops under Marshall Tito). The church was dedicated to Mary, mother and queen, by Pope John XXIII in 1959. They intended to transform it into a symbol of solidarity between east and west. This plan was finished in 1965 and was consecrated on 22nd May a year later.

Since then it has provided a destination for pilgrims from all over Italy and abroad. It's seen as an oasis for prayer.

The interior is very sober and perhaps a little too bleak -there aren't any wall paintings. There is however a beautiful crucifix which is by Trieste's sculptor Marcello Mascherini.

Chiesa di San Francesco

Via Giulia, 70, Trieste, Italy

This large church, which is near the city centre, along the chaotic Via Giulia, has a wonderful atmosphere. A small group of Franciscan friars live here, and it seems to be stuck in time. There is a small garden in the back which can be visited on request and the courtesy and simplicity of the friars is exceptional. The building was put up in the first half of the twentieth century, and the stone walls and large interior are truly enchanting. One of the most beautiful churches in Trieste.

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