Oldest church to open soon in Denizli

DENİZLİ - Doğan News Agency

The oldest Anatolian church will be open in 2013 when after restoration. DHA photo

A church unearthed three years ago in the Aegean province of Denizli’s Laodicea ancient city, the seventh church listed in the Bible’s Book of Revelations, will open for visitors next year. The head of excavations in the ancient city, Professor Celal Şimşek, said eight restorers and 15 workers had been working nonstop to restore mosaics on the floor of the church.

The church, significant in Christian history, has an unspoiled baptismal font. Şimşek said their goal was to open the church in 2013, the 1,700th year of the Edict of Milan. The main walls of the church have already been restored, he said.