Russian Monument of San Stefano

The Russian Monument of San Stefano was a memorial structure near the Marmara Sea coast that combined Orthodox architectural features with military commemorative design. The building blended domed church elements with a solemn monument character to honor those lost in conflict.

The memorial was built in 1894 to honor Russian soldiers who died in an earlier conflict. The structure disappeared in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I, severing a physical link between two major eras affecting the region.

The site served as a gathering place where Russian war veterans and pilgrims came to pay respects to those lost in battle. Its Orthodox architectural style made it a recognizable landmark and an important place of pilgrimage for many visitors.

The memorial once stood near the waterfront in Yeşilköy and was accessible from the coastal area. Today, the site exists only in historical records and photographs, as the physical structure is no longer present.

The demolition of the memorial was filmed by a Turkish soldier named Fuat Uzkinay. These recordings stand as one of the earliest examples of Turkish documentary film.

Location: Yeşilköy

Inception: 1894

Architectural style: Russian Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.96156,28.81106

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42