AYA VUKLA (AZİZ VUKOLOS) CHURCH
13.02.2018


  Greek Orthodox Church was built in 1886  and it is located in the neighbourhood which is called as its own name,nominately, today’s location of church is Kapılar Quarter, Etiler Neighbourhood, the area among 1257,1274 and 1281. Although other Greek Churches were burned out during the great fire of 1922 at İzmir, Aya Vukla church was not affected by the fire. After leaving of the Greeks from İzmir with exchange, it lost its function and became empty. The building was organized as İzmir Archeological Museum on February,1927 and this stuation maintained until museum building was opened at Kültürpark in 1951. This construction called as ‘Gözlü Church’ was used for storage and it was allocated to İzmir General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet in a period. Jesus Christ figure remained hidden behind paint coats and wall pictures symbolized of ‘Golden Speaker-Saint Yuhanna, angel Michael and angel Gabriel at neglected and devastated church were brought to light with restoration work by being used high technology. Outbuilding of the church was put into service as ‘İzmir Press Museum’’ by being organized.

A pullover of journalist Metin Göktepe, first computer of Uğur Mumcu and the typewriter of

Abdi İpekçi take part in the exhibits waking memories related to significant situation and names in terms of press history in Press Museum which are gained to the city with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Municipality of İzmir, İzmir Association of Journalists (İAJ) and Ege University (EU). Church is used for cultural and art activities.