Byzantine church for sale for $400,000

[Anngora]

Byzantine church for sale for $400,000

Friday, July 20, 2007
Meltem KARA

ISTANBUL-Hurriyet

The world's third oldest church, Basmelekler Church, which was founded in the region of Trilye in Bursa and which is well-known from the soap operas Sev Kardesim and Melekler Adasi is for sale for $400,000. The owner of the church, general director of Tekser Construction, Mete Yalçın stated that the person who will buy the church will restore it and enable the building to become a tourist attraction. Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos had built the church in 789 for venerating the Siyi nation. The church is founded on the Tirilye-Mudanya highway and it was believed to have the ability to heal the insane.

Turyap Cengelkoy Office has carried out the sale of the church. The representative of Turyap Cengelkoy Office Ulvi Ozcan declared that the owner of the church expected the church to attract tourists but as he could not work on the project he decided to sell the church. He also noted that they hoped that the future owner of the church should also take into consideration its cultural and artistic value.

The church, also known as Taksiyarhon Church, was repaired in 1448 and restored in 1819 by Sultan Mahmud the second. The church had been visited both by Greeks and Turks until 1922, but lost its importance when Muslims began to settle there. The church has been visited by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Barthelemeos every year. It was constructed within the framework of Kiborion Plan, maintains an appearance of vaults situated on four walls structure and an ascending dome, a plan that has been used since early Christianity. Two other examples of this plan also existed in Istanbul.


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