Ephesus Tours
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Private Day Tours
    • Istanbul Tours
      • Full Day Bosphorus Tours
      • Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show
      • Half Day Classical Istanbul Tours
      • Full Day Private Istanbul Tours
      • Half Day Topkapi Palace Tours
      • Half Day Dolmabahce Palace Tours
      • Half Day Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tours
      • Istanbul Tours for Disabled
      • Half Day Istanbul Archeology Tours
      • Jewish Heritage Tours in Istanbul
      • Istanbul Shopping Tours
    • Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Izmir Port
      • Half Day Ephesus Tours
      • Full Day Ephesus Tours
      • Deluxe Half Day Ephesus Tours
      • Deluxe Full Day Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Istanbul
      • Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tours
      • Ephesus Tours for Disabled
      • Ephesus and Terrace Houses Tours
      • Ephesus and Kirazli Village Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Cappadocia
      • Ephesus Tours From Antalya
      • Tandem Sky Diving at Ephesus
      • Microflight Tour Over Ephesus
      • Ephesus and Sirince Village Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Kusadasi
      • Taxi from Kusadasi port to Ephesus
      • We Guarantee the Lowest Price on Private Ephesus Tours!
    • Cappadocia Tours
      • Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours
      • North Cappadocia Tours and Goreme Museum
      • South Cappadocia and Kaymakli Underground City Tours
      • Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Cappadocia
      • Turkish Night Entertainment Show in Cappadocia
      • Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul
      • Cappadocia Turkish Bath (Hammam)
      • Cappadocia Horse Riding Tours
      • Cappadocia Trekking Tours
      • Nemrut Tours From Cappadocia
      • Cappadocia Mountain Biking Tours
      • Ihlara Canyon and Derinkuyu Underground City tours
    • Biblical Tours in Turkey
      • In The Footsteps of St Paul
      • Seven Churches of Revelation Tours
      • Jewish Heritage Tour in Turkey
      • Seven Churches and St. Nicholas
      • Early Churches of St. Paul and St. John
      • Seven Churches and Cave of Abraham
  • Private DMC
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
Ephesus Tours Istanbul Tours Cappadocia Tours Biblical Tours Kusadasi Transfers

St. Polycarp Church, Izmir

Home → Biblical Sites in Turkey → St. Polycarp Church, Izmir

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
please wait...
Rating: 5.0/5 (1601 votes cast)

The Saint Polycarp Church is the oldest church in Izmir and represents ancient Smyrna’s role as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Saint Polycarp was converted by the John the Apostle and became Bishop of Smyrna. He was martyred by the Romans at age 86 in 155 AD at Kadifkale, which was atop the hill near modern-day Izmir. According to tradition, when they tried to burn Polycarp at the stake, the flames wouldn’t touch him. They finally stabbed him to death.

The Church of Saint Polycarp in Izmir was reconstructed in 1620.

A view of the lavish interior of St. Polycarp church.

A view of the lavish interior of St. Polycarp church.

A view of the lavish interior of St. Polycarp church. This mural depicting the martydom of St. Polycarp was drawn by the local architect Raymond Péré, as is seen with his signature on the lower left edge of the painting, and in addition, the man with the moustache is believed to be this architect’s self portrait.

One of the oldest standing churches in Izmir, the St Polycarp church still acts as one the chief centres of the local Catholic diocese.

One of the oldest standing churches in Izmir, the St Polycarp church still acts as one the chief centres of the local Catholic diocese.

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +1889 (from 1889 votes)
St. Polycarp Church, Izmir, 100% based on 1889 ratings
By Zeus on March 8, 2000   /   Biblical Sites in Turkey, Churches in Turkey   /   4 Comments
Tags: Saint Polycarp, St Polycarp Church
4 Reviews
  1. G. M. Felix
    9:49 pm on September 20, 2003

    This church is located at the intersection of Gaziosmanpaþa Blvd. And Necatibey Blvd. On the way from Cumhuriyet Square to Basmane. The building was built in 1625 in honour of St. Polycarp, who was killed in A.D. 155 in Kadifekale at the age of 86 because of his strong beliefs and faith. It is Ýzmir’s oldest church and is open to the public every day throughout the year.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  2. ava
    9:37 pm on May 26, 2009

    Saint Polycarp Church is the oldest church in Izmir not to be missed.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)
    Reply
    • Meg.ENM
      6:40 pm on December 2, 2009

      St. Polycarp Church is worth a visit if you are in the area. The frescos are magnificient. Unfortunately the lighting inside the church is a little harsh.

      VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
      please wait...
      Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
      VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
      Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)
      Reply
  3. Leah O.N.
    12:55 pm on August 8, 2011

    It was Easter Sunday morning, I was returning to my hotel from a walk and by chance came across St Polycarps. The Church is enclosed by a high wall and seems to remain closed most of the time and only opens on important days. It was my lucky day as there was a Mass for Easter Sunday and I managed to gain entry into this spectacular Church.

    The Church is beautiful, the Mass was said in many different languages and it felt a privilege to have been part of it. I spent quite a long time taking beautiful photos of this ancient Church. There is an intercom system in the side road but even though I used it, nobody answers.

    There are huge gates which lock the building, hopefully any traveller wanting to see this sight will have the opportunity, try knocking on these gates as sometimes there is a gardener in the grounds. Learn some basic Turkish, it may be in your favour to gain entry.

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
Add New Reviews
Click here to cancel reply.

Travel Turkey / Blog

  • Ancient Cities of Turkey
  • Biblical Sites in Turkey
  • Biblical Turkey
  • Byzantine & Ottoman Relics
  • Cappadocia
  • Churches in Turkey
  • Cities in Turkey
  • Gallipoli
  • Istanbul
  • Map of Turkey
  • Mosques in Turkey
  • Must-See Places in Turkey
  • Turkey Travel Blogs
ephesus tours

The big tip is to try and go completely private. Many of the large tour companies offer private tour and they are going to charge a significant amount of money for the tour guide. However, many locations offer self-guided tours and therefore you have the ability to supply your own tour guide. Easily Book your guided private Ephesus tours, to see all the treasures of Ephesus Turkey. It's often said that Turkey has more ancient cities and classical ruins than does Greece. Well, it's true, and the Aegean coast holds a great number of sites, including Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved of them all.

ephesustoursguide.com © 2013-2017 All Rights Reserved
Back to Top