The Greek Church of Galați (Biserica Greacă din Galați) is a historic Orthodox church in central Galați, built between 1866 and 1872 and dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ. It was established during the city’s 19th-century growth as a major Danube port, when Greek merchants formed one of its most influential communities.
In 1864, Galați’s Greek community decided to establish its own church, initially building a temporary chapel dedicated to Saint Basil. Government approval followed in 1865, and construction of the permanent church began on August 6, 1866, the feast of the Transfiguration. Designed by the German architect Knab and built under contractor Ilias Latufis, the church was financed largely through subscriptions from members of the Greek community and was consecrated in 1872.
Two lateral wings added in 1882 gave the church its present cross-shaped plan, while the surrounding complex developed to include buildings for the clergy and the Greek confessional schools. By the beginning of the 20th century, the church was served by Greek priests and other clergy and functioned alongside the schools as one of the principal institutions of Galați’s Greek community.
The exterior is organized around a central dome and a western façade originally flanked by two bell towers. Their upper sections collapsed during the earthquake of 1940 and were rebuilt with flat roofs, permanently changing the silhouette of the entrance front. Inside, the church preserves paintings by Papadopoulos of Adrianople, a richly decorated iconostasis, and stained-glass windows depicting apostles and saints. Several large icons on the iconostasis were commissioned in Constantinople during the late 19th century.
The church now functions within the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Lower Danube while retaining its historic Greek identity. Members of Galați’s Greek community continue to take part in its major celebrations, particularly the feast of the Transfiguration on August 6.
