At the end of Trieste’s Grand Canal, Sant’Antonio Nuovo is a neoclassical Catholic church facing a broad square. Its facade has six Ionic columns and statues of six Triestine martyrs above the entrance. Step inside to see frescoes and sculptures, then walk to Ponte Verde for a view back toward the church and along the canal. The square and nearby waterfront make it easy to include in a stroll through central Trieste.
A church at the canal’s end
Sant’Antonio Nuovo stands in Piazza Sant’Antonio Nuovo, at the end of the Grand Canal. The canal once extended farther, but its final stretch was filled in 1934 using rubble from the demolition of the old city. The square in front of the church occupies that reclaimed space.
The church was built between 1825 and 1849 and completed in 1849. It was commissioned by Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I and dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. It is the largest Catholic church in Trieste.
Columns and statues on the facade
The neoclassical facade is arranged around a pronaos with six Ionic columns supporting a tympanum. Above it stand statues of six martyrs associated with Trieste: San Servolo, Santa Eufemia, San Giusto, San Sergio, Santa Tecla and Sant’Apollinare.
The church’s exterior faces the open square, while the Grand Canal runs nearby. From Ponte Verde, on Riva Tre Novembre, you can look back toward the church at the canal’s end. The spot also gives a view along the waterway.
Inside the church
The interior has frescoes and sculptures, with a quieter, simpler character than some more heavily decorated churches. Take time to look at the works and the details inside. The church remains a place of worship, so keep your visit calm and respectful.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Sant’Antonio Nuovo Church?
It is in Piazza Sant’Antonio Nuovo, at the end of the Grand Canal in Trieste.
What architectural style is the church?
Sant’Antonio Nuovo is neoclassical, with a facade of six Ionic columns and statues above the entrance.
Who is the church dedicated to?
It is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.
