Trieste

Originally, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trieste, was founded in the 18th century during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, by German merchants who were attracted by the commercial nature of the port. In the last forty years, it has become more and more international. Since 1999, Italian is the main language of the community, which allowed us to participate fully in city life and involve many people into community life. Nevertheless, services are regularly held once in a month, in German, to maintain the roots and traditions.

Thanks to its very ancient origin, the community is well integrated into the social network of the city and has an excellent infrastructure: the largest Lutheran Church in Italy has a large church office with a meeting room and a historical archive, located in the building of the old Protestant school. There are also a parsonage and the Protestant Cemetery. Because for centuries Protestants of various denominations were located in Trieste, the Lutheran character of the community was strengthened, although there is constant co-operation and discussion in the ecumenical movement. It is not easy to summarize the broad field of activity of the community. Nevertheless, the key activities are:

• Theology: partecipation in the Albert Schweitzer Study Centrum, the reflection and Bible study group;
• Diakonia: activities of SOGIT, the Institute Rittmeyer and the German Welfare Society;
• Music:many concerts in the lutheran church. Director of the musical life of the congregation is the internationally known organist, Manuel Tomadin
• Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue: Ecumenical Group, Religious Group for Peace and many other initiatives.
• The service takes place every Sunday from 10.30 a.m.

For further information, please see our newsletter or contact our office!