Chiesa Nuova

Gazing upon Chiesa Nuova, can you sense the echoes of its past? This grand neoclassical church, also known as Sant’Antonio Taumaturgo, dominates the Borgo Teresiano district of Trieste. It stands as a testament to the city’s evolving spiritual needs. Chiesa Nuova wasn’t always this imposing structure. In the mid-18th century, a small private chapel dedicated to the Annunciation stood on this very spot. As the Borgo Teresiano flourished, the chapel opened to the public but quickly proved too small. A larger Baroque-style church replaced it in 1771, also dedicated to Sant’Antonio. Yet even this proved insufficient for the burgeoning population. The city needed a grander space, a symbol of its growing importance. In 1808, a competition was launched, and Swiss architect Pietro Nobile’s neoclassical design triumphed. Construction of Chiesa Nuova began in 1825. Imagine the scale of the project, a church measuring 92 meters by 28 meters. The consecration, however, was delayed until 1849 due to a cholera outbreak. A plaque near the entrance commemorates this event, forever linking Chiesa Nuova with this difficult period. Admire the six Ionic columns supporting the majestic pronao and the large pediment. High above, six statues gaze down, sculpted by Francesco Bosa in 1842. These figures represent Trieste’s patron saints: San Giusto, San Sergio, San Servolo, San Mauro, Sant’Eufemia, and Santa Tecla. The interior of Chiesa Nuova is equally breathtaking. Twelve Ionic columns divide the space into three naves. Each nave boasts its own altar, culminating in a central dome that inspires awe. Sebastiano Santi’s 1836 fresco, “The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem,” adorns the apse. A hidden gem lies near one of the left altars: a small chapel dedicated to the Visitation. Here, you’ll find a painting attributed to Alessandro Longhi, a renowned Venetian portraitist. Chiesa Nuova also houses remarkable altarpieces depicting scenes from religious history and tradition. These works, by artists such as Michelangelo Grigoretti, Felice Schiavoni, and Johann Schonmann, add to the church’s rich artistic heritage. Even the church’s organs have a story to tell. The two pipe organs, installed in 1958 by the Mascioni company, replaced an earlier instrument. The original organ, built by Giovanni Battista De Lorenzi between 1834 and 1835, was later rebuilt in 1922 by Beniamino Zanin. Chiesa Nuova stands as a symbol of Trieste’s resilience and spiritual growth. It is a place where history, art, and faith intertwine, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit.