One of the oldest Christian churches in the territory of modern Turkey was discovered on the Anatolian Peninsula. The discovery of the archaeologists was reported by the Hurriyet Daily News. The find was made during excavations in the Esquipazar area - researchers found here a preserved part of a 6th century building 20 meters long with a mosaic floor decorated with a bull's head.
In ancient times, this very place was the city of Adrianapolis, which flourished until the 8th century. Among other things, it was an important pilgrimage site for Christians from different countries. In particular, at the time to which the found church is attributed, Saint Alipius asceticised here, bearing the spiritual feat of pillage, the strictest fasting and unceasing prayer. The chronological correspondence of his life with the found church drew attention to the teacher of the Archeological Faculty of Karabuk University, Professor Ersin Chelikbash. Despite the fact that about 98% of the population of Turkey is Muslim, there are hundreds of Christian churches (or what is left of them) on the territory of this country, which now act as places of visit for foreign tourists and pilgrims. With the discovery of the oldest Christian church in Anatolia to date, as the provincial authorities hope, their flow will increase significantly in the future. In the meantime, excavations are continuing at the site of the find, the course of which is supervised by specialists from the Kastamonu Museum.
In ancient times, this very place was the city of Adrianapolis, which flourished until the 8th century. Among other things, it was an important pilgrimage site for Christians from different countries. In particular, at the time to which the found church is attributed, Saint Alipius asceticised here, bearing the spiritual feat of pillage, the strictest fasting and unceasing prayer. The chronological correspondence of his life with the found church drew attention to the teacher of the Archeological Faculty of Karabuk University, Professor Ersin Chelikbash. Despite the fact that about 98% of the population of Turkey is Muslim, there are hundreds of Christian churches (or what is left of them) on the territory of this country, which now act as places of visit for foreign tourists and pilgrims. With the discovery of the oldest Christian church in Anatolia to date, as the provincial authorities hope, their flow will increase significantly in the future. In the meantime, excavations are continuing at the site of the find, the course of which is supervised by specialists from the Kastamonu Museum.
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