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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Saint Anne Church, Trabzon
The Church of Saint Anne (Greek: Ἁγία Άννα, Turkish: Küçük Ayvasıl Kilisesi) is thought to be the oldest church in Trabzon city, Turkey, dating to the 6th or 7th century. It has not seen service in over a century, but has recently (2021-22) been thoroughly restored. With whitewash removed, all remaining fresco's have now become visible. The church is accessible to the public free of charge during daytime hours.

Architecture

The building is a small, early Byzantine-style structure, with a barrel vaulted nave and aisles, and a sanctuary flanked by side-chamber formed from three curved apses. Spolia is used in the building, with a classical sarcophagus used to form a tympanum over the main entrance door, showing a standing warrior and a winged Nike.

It is possible the church was built around the 6th or 7th centuries AD. On a relief slab above the south door there is an inscription stating that St. Anne was restored during the joint reigns of Basil I, Leo VI and Alexander in 884/85.

In 2021/22 the church was restored. Its exterior and interior cleaned. All whitewash was removed, making previously hidden frescoes visible.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hagia Anna, Trabzon.
  1. ^ Richard Krautheimer et al, Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992) p. 395
  2. ^ A. G. Sagona, The Heritage of Eastern Turkey: From Earliest Settlements to Islam (London: Macmillan, 2005) p.170
  3. ^ Antony Eastmond, Art and Identity in Thirteenth-Century Byzantium (London: Ashgate, 2004) p.20
  4. ^ Anthony Bryer and David Winfield (1985). The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. p. 218. ISBN 0-884-0212-2-X.
  5. ^ Historic Little Quince Church welcomes its first visitors Anadolu Agency, July 7, 2022

41°00′22″N 39°43′24″E / 41.00611°N 39.72333°E / 41.00611; 39.72333


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