Byzantine and Christian Sites in Turkey

Christianity has a long and important history in Turkey. The religion reached Turkey in the New Testament era, and quickly established itself in several of the main cities.

The apostles Paul and John came to Turkey, and the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived in Ephesus. In the Book of Revelation, seven churches in Turkey receive letters from the risen Christ in a vision.

In the 4th century, the Roman emperor Constantine made two major changes to the empire: he converted to Christianity and he moved the capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Today it is called Istanbul and is the bustling capital of Turkey. Constantinople was the capital of eastern Christianity, and it remains the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox patriarchate.

Constantinople fell to the Muslims in 1453 and Turkey has been a Muslim country every since. Nevertheless, many Christian sites remain in Turkey, from ancient biblical ruins to glittering golden Bzyantine mosaics. Many churches were turned into mosques rather than being torn down, and can be visited today.

Listed below are some of the major Christian sacred sites in Turkey, in alphabetical order by location and then by name.

	Seven Churches of Revelation This article lists the seven cities mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the content of the letter to each of them, and what there is to see in them today.
	Bergama (Pergamum) Pergamum was one of the seven churches of Revelation and an early Christian center. Little remains of any Christian site today, except for the Byzantine-era Red Basilica.
	Goreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia Amidst the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, Orthodox monks carved out cave churches and covered them in beautiful murals that are well-preserved today.
	Church of the Virgin, Ephesus Also known as the Councils Church or Double Church, this was the first church dedicated to Mary and the site of the two ecumenical Councils of Ephesus.
	Great Theater, Ephesus The Apostle Paul preached for three years in Ephesus until he upset the local artisans and had to flee. The artisans (who made their living from the pagan temples) formed an angry mob in this theater, which still stands today.
	Cave of the Seven Sleepers, Ephesus area A significant Orthodox pilgrimage site, this grotto is said to be where seven Christian boys fled to during the 3rd-century Decian persecution. Awakened by an earthquake, they found themselves alive and well - in the 5th century.
	House of the Virgin, Ephesus An important Catholic pilgrimage site, this house is believed to be built on the site of the Virgin Mary's house. It was discovered by a vision by a German nun in the 19th century.
	St. John's Basilica, Ephesus (Selçuk) Some foundations and walls remain of this huge basilica, built by the Emperor Justinian over a tomb believed to hold the remains of St. John the Apostle.
	Church of the Holy Apostles, Istanbul Nothing remains of this great church built by Constantine to house his body and those of the 12 apostles, but the site can be visited.
	Church of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus, Istanbul Dedicated to two martyred Roman soldiers and now known as the Küçük Ayasofya Camii (Little Hagia Sophia Mosque), this Byzantine church was built under Emperor Justinian at the same time as the Hagia Sophia.
	Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos (Joyous Mother of God), Istanbul Now named Fethiye Camii, this 13th century church contains many beautiful Byzantine mosaics.
	Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate and Church of St. George, Istanbul The headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox Church, centered in Constantinople as it has been for hundreds of years. Patriarchal synods and other meetings are regularly held here.
	Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Istanbul The Emperor Justinian's masterpiece and one of the most glorious churches ever built. It was later turned into a mosque and is now a museum, where splendid golden mosaics of Christ, Mary, and the saints have been recently uncovered.
	Mosaic Museum (Great Palace Mosaic), Istanbul The recently uncovered mosaic floor of the courtyard of Constantine's 4th century Great Palace. Unlike those in the churches, these mosaics feature hunting scenes and scenes from mythology rather than religious scenes.
	St. Savior in Chora Church, Istanbul This 11th-century rebuild of a 4th century church is one of the finest preserved galleries of Byzantine mosaics anywhere. The church later became a mosque but is now a museum.
	Izmir (Smyrna) Izmir is ancient Smyrna, where a Christian church was early established and which became one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
	St. Polycarp Church, Izmir A fine church dedicated to the famous martyr of Smyrna.
	Laodicea One of the Seven Churches of Revelation and the home of the heretic Apollinaris. Ruins of the ancient Roman city can be explored on the archaeological site.
	Philadelphia One of the Seven Churches of Revelation, a modern city is now built up next to the ancient site. A frescoed column from a Byzantine church can be seen at the site.
	Sardis The center of the province of Lydia and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, Sardis was the home of the prominent Bishop Melito. Today it is an archaeological site.
	Tarsus An important Roman port and the Apostle Paul's hometown. It is today a modern city with few sites of interest, but St. Paul's Well and the Monastery of the Black Virgin are worth seeing.