SAİNT POLİKARP (POLYCARPE) CHURCH
12.02.2018

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This church is the one of the oldest structures in İzmir and it is located in the area where intersects with Konak district, Akdeniz Neighbourhood, Gazi Osman Paşa Avenue, Necati Bey Avenue and Kazım Dirik Street. This church was dedicated to İzmir Bishop, St. Polikarp who was the first student of St. Yuhanna and who was canonized as Saint. St. Polikarp lived in the years of 69-155. Although Roman managers put pressure on him to quit his obstinacy, Polikarp did not give up his obstinacy. Therefore, he was killed on Rome Stadium of Kadifekale outskirts  by being burned on 23 February 155. Present church given its name was built by permission of Sultan Süleyman in 1625. It was restored after the great fire of 1680.

The church was formed as a basilica with three naves by permission of Ottoman authorities and support of 16th Louis by being restored in 1775. This construction was decorated during restoration between the years of 1892-1898 by being enlarged with chapels. Young  French Artist, Painter, Architect Raymond C. Pere who lived in İzmir at the end of the previous century reflected the life story of St. Polikarp on inner part of the church’s frescos.

The church is arectangular basilica which has three naves, bema shaped dome in the direction of east-west with the church’s present restored condition. There is a belfry rising at the south end of western front.