Church of Constantine and Elena

The Church of Saints Constantine and Elena is one of the many Bulgarian churches in Edirne. In the past period there was a significant Bulgarian minority in Edirne. Some churches were built in the city in order to fulfill the worship needs of this minority group. Therefore, the Church of Constantine and Elena is among the churches that have survived to the present day. The church takes its name from Constantine and Helena. The construction date of the church is stated to be 1869. The Church of Constantine and Elena, completed in a short period of seven months in total, also offers examples of Eastern Orthodox church architecture Konstantin and Elena Church is located in the area called Uzunkaldırım in Edirne city center. At the beginning of the 1900s it begins to lose its congregation greatly. From this moment on, its is abandoned to its destiny and remains in such disrepair for many years. In the later process, it is restored, especially with the support and initiatives of the Bulgarian government. This restoration process takes place in 2008 and results in a total cost of 500 thousand euros. Apart from the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey at that time will be included in the opening of the Church of Konstantin and Elena. This restoration process also strengthens the relations between the two countries. Only four walls were standing,before the church was restored. The church, which is undergoing a major change, is considered one of the most important values of faith tourism. The church, where rubble stones and bricks are used, is planned in an inverted T-shape.Mission tile material was preferred on the hipped roof. The walls on the exterior of the Church of Constantine and Elena are complex. Two rows of bricks have rubble infill between them. Cut stones are preferred in corner sections. Side entrances with narthexes surround the church in a U-shape.