The World’s Only Iron Cast Orthodox Church in Turkey Marks 124th Anniversary

Pic – Wiki

OCP News Service – 10/1/2022

Istanbul-Turkey: Bulgarian St Stephens Orthodox Church, the only iron caste Orthodox Church marked its 124th anniversary. Located in Balat, Istanbul, Turkey, this Church was originally constructed in wood and was inaugurated on 9 October 1849. The Church belongs to the minority Bulgarian Orthodox community in Turkey.

Unfortunately, the original wooden structure suffered from fire. Armenian architect Hovsep Aznavur prepared the plans to construct a new Church using concrete reinforcement from an iron frame due to the fragility of the ground. The new Church was completed in 1898 and was inaugurated by Joseph I of Bulgaria.

The building underwent a renovation under the auspicious of the Bulgarian-Turkish cooperation in 2011, costing more than 15 million Euros. It was reopened in 2018.

Source:
OCP News Service