Greek church in Bodrum to be restored

A project has been prepared to restore a 1,800-year-old Greek church located in the popular resort town of Bodrum’s Bitez district.

The Gara Church is within the boundaries of a tourism facility built by a private firm, NF Construction and Tourism. The company has had a report prepared seeking ways to preserve and restore the church, which contains ancient mosaics, with the aim of opening the building to visitors.

In her report, Dr. Emine Tok of Ege University’s art history department said the Greek church dates back to the late Roman-early Byzantine era from A.D. 2 to 4, noting that the remains are unique and very important in terms of archeology and art history.

“The mosaics, especially on the church floor, are the most important and rare kind,” read the report. “It is possible to restore the church and turn it into an asset for tourism. The building will not last long considering its current situation; it should immediately be repaired.”

The 8-meter-tall church, which has a water well, a cistern and water canals, has one prayer room and two living quarters. There is a mosaic on the church floor, believed to have been brought from Egypt. The mosaic contains images of four dolphins and a swordfish, symbols of the religious beliefs of the time.

Architect Ahmet Iğdırlıgil has prepared a plan, titled the “Gara Church Culture and Art Museum,” under which the building will be restored, the mosaics covered with glass and brightened and the church opened for worship if the necessary permission is received.

With the construction of a cafeteria, handcrafts and souvenir stands and a parking lot, the Gara Church could become the second House of the Virgin Mary. Located in İzmir’s Selçuk district, near the ancient city of Ephesus, that site is a very important place for Christians.

Ayşe Doğançay, the president of the Bitez Association of Preserving Cultural and Natural Assets, told the Doğan news agency that the church in its current situation can barely remain standing. “The necessary permission for the restoration work has not been received despite all our requests and warnings,” said Doğançay. “The building is officially under protection, but not a single thing has been done to protect it. The church has been left to destruction.”

Doğançay noted that Bodrum bears the responsibility of having such an important piece a world-renowned resort town, saying that the necessary maintenance works should start immediately. “As the association, we are ready to do whatever we can to support the work,” she said.

A turning point in cultural tourism

Remzi Güngör, a tour operator from Bodrum, said the 1,800-year-old church should serve the public once again. “To have such a religious location in Bodrum, on land that has hosted hundreds of civilizations, will contribute not only to Bodrum and Bitez, but also be a turning point for cultural tourism efforts in Turkey,” he said. “Such a project will highlight the ties between different cultures and religions, bringing them together, and will attract tourists from many countries, including neighboring Greece.”

Fırat Özbaşar, an executive from NF Construction and Tourism, which operates the boutique hotel next to the Gara Church, said the firm has spent around $100,000 for scientific research and the restoration project. “An additional $300,000 is needed to turn the church into a museum and a cultural center,” he added. “Maybe a different project can be completed at a much lesser cost, but we aim for the 1,800-year-old church to become an important religious location, not only for Bodrum but for Turkey and Europe.”

Özbaşar noted that the company has been in talks with the Muğla Governor’s Office, the Culture and Tourism Ministry and private firms about sponsorship options. “The support of nongovernmental organizations and locals on the project urges us to act faster,” said Özbaşar. “At the end, the church can be a pride of the country and help us attract tourists to Bitez.”