Saint Voukolos Church, Greek Orthodox church in Basmane, Turkey.
Saint Voukolos Church is a stone and brick structure in central Izmir, featuring a single nave, an apse, and a transept in its layout. The building is now divided into two functioning spaces: one houses a press museum, while the other serves as a memorial house.
The building was constructed in 1886 by the Armenian Orthodox community and survived the 1922 fire of Smyrna intact. It was subsequently converted into an archaeological museum in 1924 before undergoing further transformations.
The church serves as a gathering space for the community's cultural life today. Visitors can see how the building connects past and present through its dual purpose as both a cultural venue and a place of memory.
The building is accessible and easy to reach for visitors interested in exploring both sections. Best visit during daylight to fully appreciate the architectural details and the restored interior surfaces.
Following restoration work in 2010, original frescoes were discovered beneath the museum walls that had remained hidden for centuries. These wall paintings provide insight into the artistic decoration from the building's earliest period.
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