Italian Church, Roman Catholic church in Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard, Romania
The Italian Church is a historic place of worship on Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard built in Lombard Romanesque style with red brick walls. Its distinctive Florentine tower rises among 1930s apartment buildings, standing apart from its surroundings through its architectural character.
The structure was built between 1915 and 1916, with its consecration performed by Bishop Raymond Netzhammer in the final year of construction. It reflects the architectural influence that Italy exercised over Bucharest during this period of urban expansion.
The church serves multiple communities through services in Romanian, Polish, and Italian, reflecting the diverse religious groups living in the city. You can experience how these different traditions coexist within the same sacred space, each bringing its own customs and practices.
Daily services in Romanian occur at 6 PM, while Sunday masses are offered at 9 AM in Polish, 10 AM in Romanian, and 11 AM in Italian. Plan your visit according to these times and remember that services may occasionally shift due to special religious observances.
The church remains under Italian government ownership, making it an unusual case of state-controlled religious property in Romania. This arrangement reflects historical diplomatic ties and stands as a physical reminder of Italy's cultural reach in Eastern Europe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.