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Stephan (Bulgarian) Church
This church which belongs to Bulgarian minority is may be the most
interesting church of Istanbul. Bulgarian residents of Ottoman Empire
previously performed their religious rituals in the churches of Fener
Orthodox Patriarchy. And probably under the influence of nationalism,
Bulgarian people received permission from the state to have their own
churches. At first, a small wooden church was built on the area between
Balat, where the church is located today and Fener, by the Golden Horn
coast. Later, an activity began to build a larger church. Since the
ground was weak, iron frame method was preferred for being lighter,
rather than concrete.
The project of the church was made by Hovsep Aznavur who was an Armenian
born in Istanbul. There was an international competition for the
production of prefabricated parts of the church and an Austrian company
named R Ph Wagner won this competition. The parts manufactured in Vienna
were carried to Istanbul by vessel through the Danube River and Black
Sea. It was finally situated on its present place in 1898 after a work
of 1.5 years.
The supporting profiles of the church was made of steel and they were
covered with sheet iron sheets. All parts were joined with each other by
bolt, screw nut, rivet or welding. As for the architectural style, it
has neogothic and neobaroque elements.
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FETHIYE
BODRUM
MARMARIS
ANTALYA