Saint Gregory of Nyssa Church, Trabzon

Saint Gregory of Nyssa Church is a Byzantine building with a cross-in-square design, supported by heavy arches and a central dome. The entrance features three porches that structure access to the interior space.

The building was founded in 1201 during the Empire of Trebizond and served as a Christian church. After the conquest of 1461, it was later converted into a mosque.

The church displays religious artwork from different periods, created before being covered over during its time of Islamic use. Visitors can still see traces of these layered artistic traditions today.

The building is located near the coast of Trabzon and is relatively easy to find when moving through the waterfront area. Visitors should be prepared for uneven surfaces and possibly limited visiting hours, as it remains an active place of religious significance.

During World War I, Russian military occupation allowed archaeologists to conduct detailed studies of the building and document its artistic elements. This documentation later helped reveal the hidden layers beneath the subsequent Islamic paintings.

Location: Trabzon

Inception: 13 century

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

GPS coordinates: 41.00945,39.73058

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04