Karaköy Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Kilisesi Church

Surp Krikor Illuminator Church, located in the Karaköy district of Beyoğlu, one of the historical districts on the European side of Istanbul, is famous for being the oldest known Armenian church in the city. The church, which was recorded to have been built on land purchased by an Armenian merchant in the 14th century, burned down in 1731 after standing for centuries.

The religious building, which was rebuilt at the same spot, burned down again about 40 years later and was finally opened with its new face in 1799. The prominent feature of the construction is that two small chapels are together with the main structure. These three different sections were combined by opening arches in 1888.

Surp Krikor the Lusavoric Church, which existed in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire, witnessed the processes of expropriation, reduction in area, and reconstruction in a domed style and opening for worship in the 20th century. It has been open for worship since 1966.

The valuable inscriptions on its walls attract attention. It has a simple interior. It is shown as the only example of classical Armenian architecture in Istanbul. A few graves stand out in its courtyard, and next to it there is an old school building with a history dating back to the 1870s.