Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church

Church or Organization Info

The Surp Pirgich Armenian Church is situated in the Kazlıçeşme district (near Yedikule) of Istanbul, Turkey. The renowned Ottoman Armenian architect Garabet Amira Balyan built the church in 1833. It is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and displays a mix of Ottoman and European architectural styles.

The church experienced significant damage during the earthquakes that hit Istanbul in 1894 and 1896. In 1898, a major renovation was carried out to restore the damage and add new features. Throughout World War I, the church served as a sanctuary for Armenians who were fleeing persecution from the Ottoman Empire's genocide campaign against the Armenian population.

In the 1920s, during the Turkish Republic's attempts to secularize the country and eliminate religious institutions, the church was briefly converted into a mosque. Nonetheless, it was eventually returned to the Armenian community, and it continues to be an active place of worship today. The church's historical and cultural significance, combined with its unique architecture, make it a notable landmark in Istanbul.

Address: Kazlıçeşme, Prof. Muammer Aksoy Cad. No:13, 34020 Zeytinburnu/İstanbul, Türkiye
District: Zeytinburnu
Neighborhood: Kazlıçeşme (near Yedikule)

Known Tokens

10 paras
Picture from catalog Gaciroglu p. 344, 3rd illustration

20 paras
Picture from catalog Gaciroglu p. 344, 4th illustration

Files

1419 - 10 paras - Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church.jpg
1419 - 20 paras - Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church.jpg
1419 - Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church 1.jpg
1419 - Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church 2.jpg
1419 - Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church 3.jpg

Collection

Citation

“Yedikule - St. Bartholomew or Surp Pirgich Church,” Armenian Numismatic Research Organization, accessed December 22, 2024, https://armnumres.org/items/show/1419.

Geolocation