San Nicolò, 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 façade was finished in 1819 by the famous local architect, Matteo Pertsch, who - with perfect Neoclassical rigor - 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 St John Preaching (1852). Other pictures adorn the pulpit, the choir, and the gyneceum, 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 cafés, the new pedestrian areas, and the old town.