St. Nicholas Church, Demre
History
The church was built in AD 520 on the foundations of an older Christian church where Saint Nicholas had served as a bishop. Justinian I contributed to the reconstruction. It is noted for its remarkable wall frescos, and its architectural and religious significance.
Over time the church was flooded and filled with silt. In 1862 it was restored by Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who added a tower and made other changes to its Byzantine architecture. The church continued to function until its final abandonment by the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1923, when the remaining Greeks of Demre were required to leave by the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey.
Archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations in the Church started in 1988 directed by Prof. S. Yıldız Ötüken of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. The work has revealed some of the northern section of the monastery complex, and also the small chapels around the nave, one of which notably contains vibrant frescoes detailing the life and miracles of the saint, and a desecrated sarcophagus which is thought to be the original burial place from which his remains were forcibly translated to Bari in 1087.
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St. Nicholas Church Exterior
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St. Nicholas Church from courtyard
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St. Nicholas Church courtyard from high
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St. Nicholas Church View to choir
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St. Nicholas Church at choir
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St. Nicholas Church view from choir
Decoration
The northeast annex arcade contains the only example of St Nicholas's life cycle on ancient frescos in Turkey.
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church Fresco
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St. Nicholas Church corridor with Nicolas frescos
Opus sectile
Parts of the church preserve opus sectile decoration.
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St. Nicholas Church opus sectile
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St. Nicholas Church opus sectile
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St. Nicholas Church opus sectile
Liturgy
The Orthodox Liturgy is occasionally celebrated in the church on 6 December.