Experience Turkey Like a Local: 25 Hidden tourist churches and monasteries Gems to Discover
Welcome to Turkey . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a carefully curated list of 25 must-see tourist churches and monasteries that will inspire your sense of adventure. If you’re looking to experience Turkey like a local, we’ve got you covered with 25 hidden tourist churches and monasteries gems waiting to be discovered. And for those who crave excitement, we’ve compiled 25 thrilling tourist churches and monasteries that will get your heart racing.
Information about Turkey
Turkey is a country in Asia with an amazing strategic location, as its borders connect Asia and Europe, and it is bordered to the north by the Black Sea and Georgia, to the east by Armenia and Iran, to the south by Iraq, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west by Greece and Bulgaria. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Arab tourists, for several reasons, including the similarity of Turkish culture with Arab culture, as well as its location in the Middle East. It is one of the first human colonies in the world, and many civilizations and empires passed through it and settled in it, the last of which was the Ottoman Empire, and that made Turkey a country with a very rich history, so you will find landmarks and evidence of the different civilizations that passed through Turkey in all its parts. Its population is approximately 75 million, and its capital and largest city is Istanbul. Turkey is one of the countries with diverse natural features, in which you will be able to see many forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and many more.
A list of the best Tourist churches and monasteries in Turkey
We’ve carefully curated a list of the top 25 tourist churches and monasteries in Turkey, based on visitor ratings and reviews. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, our guide will help you plan the perfect outing. Our team has scoured the city to find the best tourist churches and monasteries, from museums to restaurants to gardens. Let us be your guide to Turkey’s tourist churches and monasteries scene and experience the sights and flavors that make it unique. Don’t waste your time searching for the best spots – we’ve done the work for you. Trust our expertise to make the most of your time in Turkey.
1- Mar Hırmız Chaldean Church
Mar Hırmız Chaldean Church – The Catholic Church, Mar Hermes Chaldean Church, built in 397 AD, is located in the center of old Mardin, right in the bazaar, and is one of the most important archaeological and religious monuments in the city. Despite its relatively small area compared to the rest of the churches in the city, it enjoys a beautiful synergy that surrounds you, with paintings and small statues inside, and decorations and inscriptions that decorate the facades and gates, in one of the most beautiful architectural artistic scenes in the country.
Place address: Şar, Cumhuriyet Cd No:292, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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2- Selime Cathedral
Selime Cathedral – Sliema Cathedral is located inside Sliema Castle, the largest and most elaborate cave complex in Cappadocia, which includes a huge kitchen, two halls, a basilica and other rooms carved around two adjacent courtyards. The basilica church is one of the largest and most conspicuous churches in Cappadocia. The basilica-style church contains two porticoes dividing three aisles. The architectural features indicate great skill and planning. The columns alternate between square piers and round columns. Each column features a massive base and an engraved capital. It has distinctive decorations.
Place address: 68500 Yaprakhisar/Güzelyurt/Aksaray, Turkey
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3- Church of San Pantaleón
Church of San Pantaleón – San Pantaleon Church is a Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Pantaleón, located in the Kuzguncuk district of Istanbul. The church dates back to the era of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, when it was opened during his reign as the first church in the region.
Place address: Kuzguncuk, İcadiye Cd. No:50, 34674 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
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4- St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas Church – This church was built in the Mediterranean region of Turkey to honor Saint Nicholas and contain his tomb in the year 520 AD on the foundations of the ancient Christian church in which Saint Nicholas was a bishop, part of the ancient city of Myra; It is an ancient Lycian settlement, and is considered the best example of ecclesiastical architecture in the middle Byzantine period with its interesting architectural style and decoration.
Place address: Merkez Mahallesi, 07570 Demre (Kale)/Demre/Antalya, Turkey
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5- Mor Hananyo Monastery
Mor Hananyo Monastery – Mor Hananyu Monastery, which shines with its architectural brilliance, is one of the most important centers of the Assyrian Church. This monastery, which was the residence of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs for a period of 640 years until 1932 AD, is the most visited monasteries because it is close to Mardin. graves) in the monastery. The monastery has been called Deir al-Zafaran since the nineteenth century, because of the saffron flower. According to legend, the saffron plant was used in the mortar of the building and the structure took its yellow color from this plant. According to another rumor, saffron is very spread around the monastery and grows abundantly every year. who kissed him.
Place address: Eskikale, Deyrulzafaran Yolu No:1 D:2, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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6- Basilica Of Saint John
Basilica Of Saint John – The Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I and his wife Theodora on the supposed site of the tomb of St. John who is believed to have come to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary. Over time, earthquakes and attackers destroyed this great basilica, which was the second largest church in Anatolia at the time. Its splendid ruins can still be seen today, and information panels dotting the place highlight the miniature model of the original building, with its marble tiles and massive gate.
Place address: Atatürk, St. Jean Cd., 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey
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7- St. George’s Cathedral
St. George’s Cathedral – St. George’s Cathedral, also known as the Greek Patriarchal Church of Agia Yorgi, is located in the Fener neighborhood on the banks of the Golden Horn. It is the fifth church to house the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate since the 15th century. It was formerly an Orthodox nunnery, and was converted into patriarchal offices between 1598 And 1601, and it is famous today for its valuables, and its building is divided into three parts, including a vestibule containing icons of Saints George and Elijah, a plate and an altar, and it also maintains the traditional basilica style with its three corridors.
Place address: Yavuz Sultan Selim, Dr. Sadık Ahmet Cd. No:44, 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
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8- Mardin PROTESTANT CHURCH
Mardin PROTESTANT CHURCH – One of Turkey’s oldest Protestant churches, Mardin Church, has reopened after an absence of worshipers for 60 years, in a sign of the country’s Christian community revival. The church has a great historical and religious importance, as it is the oldest church in Turkey and in the Middle East in general, and it is characterized by a traditional building with huge stones and organized arches that decorate the entrance and the inner courtyards. The church also includes an outer courtyard in which prayers and religious ceremonies are held.
Place address: 152. tepe sokak no:16, Latifiye, 47100 Mardin Merkez/Mardin, Turkey
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9- Great Synagogue of Edirne
Great Synagogue of Edirne – Believers in the Jewish religion constitute a high percentage of the total population in the city of Edirne and even in the Ottoman Empire as a whole, hence the importance of the Great Synagogue of Edirne, which was a place of worship for one of the largest Jewish communities in the East. Today, tourists can visit the synagogue and get acquainted with the rituals of worship and other religious matters related to Judaism and Jews.
Place address: Dilaverbey, Maarif Cd. No:75, 22020 Edirne Merkez/Edirne, Turkey
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10- Saint Anthony’s Church
Saint Anthony’s Church – St. Anthony’s Church, known in Turkish as St. Antoine’s Church, is the largest Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, built to serve the Italian community living in the city. The church was distinguished by an imposing building of red brick, which was originally built on this site in 1725 AD, but was demolished in the early twentieth century, to make way for a tram line. However, the church was rebuilt and completed in 1912 AD. It stands today as a fine example of the Italian neo-Gothic style, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Place address: Tomtom, İstiklal Cd. No:171, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
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11- Yason Kilisesi
Yason Kilisesi – Jason Church is located in the natural and archaeological area of Ras Jason on the border of Çaytepe village in Perşembe province, on a small peninsula facing the sea. This area is currently a protected area by the government Environment Authority, classified as Grade II. The church still stands here, with the ruins of its garden wall. Parts of these ruins can be found all over the sea coast. The ancient harbors and fish ponds can also be seen today. It was built by the Georgians and some Greeks who used to live in the area.
Place address: Çaytepe, Yason Church, Ordu Samsun Eski Karayolu, 52750 Perşembe/Ordu, Turkey
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12- Öşvank Church
Öşvank Church – The Oshvank Church is located in the Uzundar region of the city of Erzurum, and it is famous for its colored stone decorations and prominent figures. According to the inscription on the entrance front of the Oshvank Church, it was built between the years (963-973 AD), during the era of the Georgian dynasty, when the wall paintings were made, which It can be seen in abundance inside the church, in the year 1036 AD. The church is characterized by a huge dome with twelve windows, and the outer surfaces of the windows are limited by prominent moldings, and these windows, with pointed and slender arches, reflect the Gothic style.
Place address: Liman, Atatürk Blv. No:6, 07130 Konyaaltı/Uzundere/Antalya, Turkey
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13- St. Georgi Bulgarian Church
St. Georgi Bulgarian Church – Tourists feel great pleasure when visiting the Bulgarian Church of St. George, as the visit usually begins with a tour of its spacious garden decorated with perennial trees, green plants and colorful roses, and then they explore the church from the inside with its icons, religious paintings, and beautiful murals, in addition to visiting its museum, which includes pieces From jewelry and clothes, and some books related to Bulgarian culture.
Place address: Barutluk, 22000 Edirne Merkez/Edirne, Turkey
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14- Antioch Turkish Catholic Church
Antioch Turkish Catholic Church – The Antiochian Turkish Catholic Church attracts tourists and locals to visit it in large numbers, as it enjoys great religious importance among the followers of the Christian religion, in addition to its distinguished architectural style, which attracts the attention of everyone who visits it. Tourists usually start their visit by exploring the historic stone building and wandering around its garden, which is surrounded by a pond surrounded by green plants, and then they enter the church to view its religious paintings and icons.
Place address: Zenginler, 31070 Antakya/Hatay, Turkey
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15- Virgin Mary Monastery
Virgin Mary Monastery – The Monastery of the Virgin Mary, which was built in a natural cave, is an important aspect of the cultural and religious tourism of the region, and it is one of the famous destinations visited by many people, especially those interested in diverse cultures. This monastery can be reached by climbing a set of high stairs located on a road linking the Black Sea region with Anatolia, and it consists of 4 floors that include the dining room, the church, the monks’ room, and the classroom.
Place address: Kayadibi, 28400 Sarıyer/Şebinkarahisar/Giresun, Turkey
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16- Ancient Church
Ancient Church – The old church is one of the historical testimonies of the ancient city of Bodrum, although today only ruins remain. This church was dedicated to the Catholic communities in the city, who would come to it to perform their own rites and rituals, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Today, the church has turned into a historical tourist attraction that history lovers from different countries come to.
Place address: Torba, İlke Sk. No:20, 48400 Bodrum/Muğla, Turkey
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17- Saint Paul’s Church, Tarsus
Saint Paul’s Church, Tarsus – St. Paul’s Church attracts large numbers of tourists because of the high religious importance it enjoys among the followers of the Christian religion, as it bears the name of St. Paul of Tarsus, who is one of the most prominent saints who contributed to spreading Christianity in its early beginnings. Tourists enjoy contemplating the distinctive architecture of the church, which is dotted with arches, domes and high windows.
Place address: Şehitkerim, 3407. Sk. No:9, 33440 Tarsus/Mersin, Turkey
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18- Al Nazar Church
Al Nazar Church – One of the most famous cave churches in Cappadocia, the Church of the Look, stands carved into a fairy chimney secluded in a surreal valley. It dates back to the late 19th century and has a unique interior design. It is a chapel with a fresco in the shape of a cross carved into a fairy chimney.
Place address: 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
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19- Church of St Peter
Church of St Peter – St. Peter’s Church is of great importance to the followers of the Christian religion, as its construction dates back to the first centuries of the spread of Christianity in the East. The church appears as if it was excavated inside a cave in Jabal al-Hajj and contains within it many colorful mosaic floors, icons, artistic paintings and religious murals that narrate important chapters in the history of the early Christian saints.
Place address: Küçükdalyan, 31010 Antakya/Hatay, Turkey
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20- Alaoda Church
Alaoda Church – Al-Awda is a distinctive rock church in Mersin. It was established as a result of the formation of a large rocky cave in one of the city’s mountains, and for this reason it was distinguished by a distinctive architectural composition, which includes paintings and mosaics inside, and the decorations here include birds, pigeons, various cross structures, braid motifs, geometric shapes and plants. The slate roofs are plastered with thatch and plaster. The church at that time was considered one of the most sacred places because of some of the religious beliefs that prevailed in that period.
Place address: Geçimli, 33600 Mut/Mersin, Turkey
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21- Dagpazari Church
Dagpazari Church – Dapazari Church is located on the ancient road that descends from Kerman to Silifke, in the area surrounded by the ruins of fortifications and bastions. It is a three-nave church with a half-dome and an apse. Emperor Zeno built this church in 476 AD. As a result of the wars and conflicts that the region went through, the western façade of the church was completely destroyed, leaving nothing left of it today except for some standing columns and the apse.
Place address: Dağpazarı, Dağpazarı Köyü Yolu, 33600 Mut/Mersin, Turkey
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22- Fethiye Museum – Pammakaristos Church
Fethiye Museum – Pammakaristos Church – The Bamakaristos Church was built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and it was during the Byzantine period an important religious building, and after the conquest of Istanbul, it was used for a while as a patriarchal house for the rest of the Christians in the city, but in 1574 it was converted into a mosque, and after a series of restorations in the thirties The twentieth century, it was opened as the Fethiye Museum in 2006, and today it houses the most beautiful examples of Byzantine mosaics from the fourteenth century after those in Hagia Sophia and Chora Church.
Place address: Fethiye Caddesi, Balat, Draman Cd., 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
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23- Oltu Church
Oltu Church – Olto Russian Church is located in the east of the city of Erzurum in the center of Oltu district. It is known that the building was built by the Russians between (1885-1890) after the Ottoman-Russian war, after which this church became one of the distinctive monuments in the city. The Russian church consists of rectangular spaces located on either side of the central dome, supported by rectangular columns. In the middle of the western facade, there are ornate circular arched entrance doors slightly projecting. With these doorways, the apse is raised in the east and the outline of the cross is more visible on the upper cover.
Place address: Yusuf Ziyabey, 25400 Oltu/Erzurum, Turkey
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24- Kayseri Surp Krikor Lusavoric Armenian Church
Kayseri Surp Krikor Lusavoric Armenian Church – The Kayseri Serb Krikor Losavorić Church is considered the oldest and most important Armenian church in the city of Kayseri, and it arouses the interest of many different personalities such as tourists, local visitors, state authorities and tourism-related businesses. Its foundations were laid for the first time in 1191, and it is one of the rare historical monuments that still exist. Up to the present time, it has been restored several times while preserving its original form.
Place address: Caferbey, Topaç Sok No:5, 38050 Melikgazi/Kayseri, Turkey
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25- Kaymakli Monastery
Kaymakli Monastery – The Kaymakli Monastery is one of the distinctive historical buildings of the city of Trabzon, which dates back to the fourteenth century AD, as it was a witness to the conflicts and wars that the city went through. The monastery has a distinctive design, as it took a rectangular shape as an external structure, and includes a small church, a bell tower, and a temple. This includes a pentagonal dome that was designed with small openings that add light and natural lighting to the place.
Place address: Çukurçayır, 61000 Trabzon Merkez/Trabzon, Turkey
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Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the unique and fascinating region of Turkey. From its stunning natural wonders to its rich cultural heritage, Turkey is a destination that promises to leave you awe-inspired and enriched. We encourage you to take your time and immerse yourself in the local culture, learn about the history and traditions of the region, and connect with the people who call it home. Remember that every journey is a personal one, and your experience in Turkey will be different from anyone else’s. So, don’t be afraid to follow your instincts, take a detour, and explore the unknown. As you journey through Turkey, we invite you to embrace the unexpected and discover the hidden treasures that await. We hope that our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels, happy exploring, and until next time!