Exploring Religion and Migration Spatially in the Alpine Area: The St. Mark Romanian Orthodox Church in Trento

This chapter examines the integration of the Romanian Orthodox immigrant community in Trento, a region typical of the Alpine area in Italy. The analysis is based on the narrative of a key informant—the parish priest—and focus on the community’s search for, identification, and use of a specific place of worship. The relevance of the religious site in the settlement of the Romanian Orthodox community is discussed using the case study methodology, a qualitative research approach, and adopting a spatial perspective. Tracing the story of a religious community through the words of a privileged informant holds dual significance: on one hand, it captures and conveys the broader lived experience of the community related to the site; on the other hand, it offers a narrative that influences collective representations and the personal life-stories that accumulate over time. The findings expand on how religious sites serve as crucial venues for the community’s efforts in defining its identity, navigating cultural hybridization, achieving social inclusion, and facing the main challenges posed by an Alpine setting.