A Dolapdere Treasure Panayia Avangelistria Greek Orthodox Church (Evangelistra Greek Church)

Panayia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church is located in the Dolapdere district of Beyoğlu, Istanbul and was built in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style. The church is one of the monumental churches built as a result of the rights granted to non-Muslims during the Ottoman period. The church takes its name from the Feast of Evangelism, when the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary was heralded. The church was completed in 1893 and opened for worship in 1894.

The History of the Evangelistra Greek Church

Panayia Evangelistria Church was completed in 1893 and is an important religious structure representing the density of the Greek population in this region during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The church was completed after a long construction process of 16 years and the influence of Architect Petrakis Meimaridis was great in its construction. The church has an important place in the religious and social life of this region, where the Greek community lived densely during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

Architectural Features of Evangelistra Greek Church

Panayia Evangelistria Church was built on the plan of a closed Greek cross and attracts attention with its Neo-Gothic architecture. The church's two square-section bell towers are one of the important elements built with the rights brought by the Tanzimat period. Gothic pointed towers and triangular pediments are among the features that make the church stand out architecturally. At the same time, the courtyard of the structure planned in the form of a closed Greek cross is one of the elements that increase the monumentality of the church. While stonework and high ceilings stand out in the interior of the church, Neo-Gothic elements are prominently used on the exterior. These architectural features have made the church one of the important Greek Orthodox churches in Istanbul.

Restoration Process of Evangelistra Greek Church

The wear and tear in the 130-year history of the church is being tried to be eliminated with the restoration works carried out in recent periods. With the restoration process started in 2022, serious repairs were carried out on the interior and exterior facades of the church. Like many historical buildings in Istanbul, this church has been damaged over time and is being restored to its former glory with restoration work.

Congregation of Evangelistra Greek Church and Current Situation

The congregation of the church was 6000-7000 in 1955-56, but unfortunately this number has decreased to 23 today. Attendance at Sunday services is quite low and does not exceed 15 people. Despite the changes in the architectural and social structure of Dolapdere, Evangelistria Greek Church continues to impress its visitors with its remarkable architecture and historical value.

How to Get to Evangelistra Greek Church?

The church is located in Dolapdere, very close to Beyoğlu. It is very easy to reach from the central points of Istanbul and can be reached by public transportation within the city. It can be reached by a short walk from Taksim Square or by buses and minibuses passing from Şişhane. The church is one of the structures worth visiting both historically and architecturally due to its location.

How to Get There?

Greek Population in Istanbul

Istanbul once had a significant Greek population, but today this number has decreased considerably. Especially as a result of historical events such as the population exchange in the mid-20th century, the September 6-7 Incidents and the Cyprus Operation, the Greek population in the city has rapidly declined. The Greek population in Istanbul, which reached hundreds of thousands at the beginning of the 20th century, is now limited to only a few thousand people. Today, it is estimated that the number of active Greek population in Istanbul is between 2000 and 3000.

The Greek population in Istanbul is now concentrated mainly in the Beyoğlu, Fener-Balat and Kadıköy regions. Despite this decreasing population, many of the city's historical Greek Orthodox churches are still standing and efforts are being made to preserve this cultural heritage. However, in today's Istanbul, the Greek community consists mostly of older people.

If this article has caught your interest, you can take a look at the Istanbul Churches with Fascinating Architecture travel list and explore the historical churches in Istanbul.