A Travel Story : From Izmir with Love - Part I - St. Polycarp Church

October 2018 · 3 min read · Izmir

A Travel Story : From Izmir with Love - Part I - St. Polycarp Church

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Hello all Steemian friends,

Today i want to talk about a historical Church which is located in Alsancak,Izmir and even though wandering around it tons of times i have never been its inside before. Actually the main reason of my visiting these old and historical church is a simple question of my friend @herverisson : "Hi Mustafa :) I'm coming to Izmir, the last week of September. Do you have recommendations what to see around Izmir? I'll be with a friend, we will have a car. Thanks :)". Of course i advise him a few place to visit when he will be in Izmir. And one of the places which was advised is St. Polycarp Church.

Some Information about Church

It is one of the oldest buildings of Konak district in Izmir, which was established at the intersection of Gazi Osman Paşa Boulevard, Necatibey Boulevard and Kazım Dirik Street. The church, which lived between the years of 69-155, was one of the first students of St. John and later became Saint. Dedicated to Polikarp. Although they did not give up the belief of the Roman rulers, Polikarp did not give up his belief and on 23 February 155 he was burned at the Roman Stadium at the foot of Kadifekale. The present church was named in 1625 with the permission of Sultan Suleyman. After the big fire in 1680 he had a repair.
The church was restored in 1775 with the permission of the Ottoman authorities and with the support of the 16th Louis. It took the form of a basilica with three naves. The building was decorated with chapels during the restoration between 1892-98. At the end of the last century, the young French artist, painter, architect Raymond C. Pere, lived in Izmir. He reflected the life story of Polikarp to the frescoes he made in the church.

The church was restored today; It is a rectangular basilica with three naves in the east-west direction. There is a bell tower at the southern end of the western façade.