Located on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu, the Saint Antoine Church is on the
left side of the street if you are facing from Galatasaray towards Tünel.
Construction began in 1906 and the church was completed in 1912. Its architect,
Giulo Mongeri, who was born in Istanbul, gave
it an Italian Neo-Gothic style. Today it is Istanbul's
largest church with the busiest congregation and is run by Italian priests.
The Church was built in a courtyard. The entrance of the church is on the
main street between two apartments which were built to raise money for
the church.
This church belongs to the Bulgarian minority and is the most interesting
church in Istanbul. The Bulgarian minority of
the Ottoman Empire used to pray at the churches
of the Fener Orthodox Patriarchy. Due to the nationalistic movements, Bulgarians
were allowed to build their own church in the 19th century. First, a small
wooden church was built on the shore of the Golden
Horn between Balat and Fener squares (near Eyup
district) where the current church is located,
but later this was developed into a larger building. An iron frame was
preferred to concrete reinforcement due to the weak ground conditions. The
construction plans were prepared by Hovsep Aznavur, an Armenian of Istanbul
origin.
An international competition was conducted to produce the prefabricated
parts of the church. An Austrian firm, R. Ph. Wagner, won the competition.
The prefabricated parts were produced in Vienna and transported to Istanbul
by ship through the Danube and the Black Sea. After one and a half years
work, it was completed in 1898. The main skeleton of the church was made
of steel and covered by metal boards. All the pieces were attached together
with nuts, bolts, rivets or welding. The architectural
styles come from the Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque periods.
Located in the Fener region (near Eyup
district), between Sadrazam Ali Pasa Street and Incebel
Street, the Roman Orthodox Patriarchate is located in the yard of this
church. In 1602, the Patriarch moved to Aya Yorgi, when the site was used
as monastery. Since that time, a good many renovations have occurred, the
most recent of which ended in 1991, owing to damage sustained by fire in
1941. Although not so significant architecturally, Aya Yorgi possesses
valuable historical artifacts. Among the most significant are: a patriarchs
throne, dating circa the 5th century; three samples of rare mosaic icons;
a column which is believed to have been used for the binding and flogging
of Jesus in Jerusalem; and cascades belonging to three women saints.
It is the oldest Armenian church in Istanbul.
It was written in a manuscript that there was a church there in the name
of Surp Sarkis in 1360. It was rebuilt in 1431. Since it was fell down
in 1958, architect Bedros Zabyan built a new one. It is one of the churches
which was built during Turkish Republic period. Its conical dome differs
it from other Armenian churches.
It is the only church which was built by Suryanis in Istanbul.
It was built in 1960 with the stones brought from Mardin
where the head church of Suryanis is located.
It was also called Crimean church. It was built between 1858-68 in memory
of British soldiers who had participated in the Crimean War. All stones
used in construction were brought from Malta. It is in Neo-Gothic in style.
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