In the Footsteps of Christianity: Churches and Monasteries in Muğla

The history of Muğla dates back to 3400 BC. In this article, we talked about a few churches and monasteries that you can visit in Muğla, which has hosted many different civilizations and religions throughout history, and the past of these structures.

CHURCHES IN MUGLA

St. Nicholas Church

The church, built in 1780 or 1873 and dedicated to St. Nicholas, is located in the Bodrum district of Muğla. It was demolished in a controlled manner after the rotten report given by Pamukkale University in 1969. It is a Greek Orthodox church. The church was used as a sponge storage, cinema and public education center for a while.

The church has been planned to be restored since the 2000s. In 2010, the Mayor of Bodrum announced that the church would be rebuilt. In 2013, the public education center was moved to another building and the real foundations of the demolished church were revealed. In 2019, the Mayor of Bodrum announced that the necessary permissions were received from the Monuments Board for the restoration of the church. Today, restoration work is still ongoing.

Kadıkalesi Church

The church located in Turgutreis Town of Bodrum district of Muğla is registered as a “monumental work”. It was decided by the Izmir Directorate of Surveying and Monuments to restore the church, but the restoration was not carried out.

Kadıkalesi Church is a Greek Orthodox Church. The church has a rectangular plan, a single apse, and is covered with two cross vaults. The apse is semicircular. The main structure of the church is in good condition, but it is currently empty and unused.

Bitez Gara Church

The church located in Bitez Town of Bodrum district was found suitable for the survey project and restoration project by the decision of the Muğla Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Regional Board. Neither project was realized. The church is a Greek Orthodox church built on a mosaic basilica from the Byzantine period. Today, a certain part of the church has been preserved, and protection measures have been taken to prevent the collapsed walls and mosaics from being damaged.

Küçük Tavşan (Apostol) Island Church

Küçük Tavşan (Apostol) Island, located in the Küçükbük area of ​​Bodrum, was registered as a First Degree Natural Protected Area in 1995. The church on the island was also registered as a monument with the decision taken in the same year. The entire island is covered with rocks and olive trees. The church is located at the highest point of the island. Küçük Tavşan Island Church can be reached after a half-hour climb from the path. It is estimated that the church was built in the 6th century AD and in the early Byzantine period. In addition, the church has a three-nave structure plan with a barrel vault and three apses.

Gümüşlük Eklisia Church

Gümüşlük Town, Karakaya Village, Myndos Ancient City II. Eklisia Church, which is registered as a monument within the 1st Degree Archaeological Site, is private property. The church, which has a rectangular structure, has two apses and bears Greek architectural features. The church, which has been used as an art center since 1989, later took the name Eklisia. It is still used as an art center today and also hosts the International Classical Music Festival.

MONASTERS IN MUGLA

Yediler Monastery

Yediler Monastery, located in the Milas district, attracts attention with its historical ruins. It is one of the places preferred by local and foreign visitors on their trips due to its proximity to Lake Bafa and the ancient city of Keramos.

According to written sources, Yediler Monastery was built in the 7th century BC. As a result of the research conducted by German archaeologists in the region, it was revealed that the oldest people that could be determined in the history of the region lived here. Yediler Monastery has two churches, a chapel and a cistern. On the other hand, the monks' cells are also one of the places worth seeing in the monastery. The braids on the walls of the monastery, located between large rock blocks, are also worth seeing.

The monastery, located in the northern part of Gölyaka village, is a place worth seeing with its deep history. Yediler Monastery, which is also close to the Söke district, has very valuable frescoes. However, the frescoes have started to be damaged recently. The only reason for the damage is external factors such as people and animals, as well as some internal factors such as calcification. Symbolic traces of the life of Jesus and his crucifixion are depicted in the frescoes. Gölyaka and Kapıkırı regions are among the sacred areas especially for Christians. This makes the monastery more visited by foreign travelers.

Torba Monastery

Located in Bodrum’s Kızılağaç Village, Torba Monastery was registered as a First and Third Degree Archaeological Site in 1997. Today, it is privately owned. The monastery consists of 5 main structures: a chapel, a church, a bathhouse, a large church and a warehouse.

Written by: Berkay Yenidünya