As we were trying to find our hotel, I saw the dome of what look like a church, not a mosque, in the distance on Cunda Adasi.
Since the sun was setting, we wouldn�t find out what that small dome was until the following morning.
Since the sun was setting, we wouldn�t find out what that small dome was until the following morning.
 |
| The exterior of the Taksiyarhis Greek Orthodox Church |
As you wander through the island�s maze of uneven, cobblestone streets, the dome disappears from your sight. Then, all of the sudden, you are standing in front of it - about 200 meters off the main road. The abandoned Taksiyarhis Greek Orthodox Church, built in 1873, stands as testimony to the island�s former Greek inhabitants. Apparently, some of the island�s other remaining Greek churches have been converted into mosques.
The island�s Greek population was expelled during the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey and was replaced by Muslims from Crete (Cretan Turks). It�s difficult to tell how many Greeks actually were forced to move from this area, but in total upwards of 1.5 million Greek people returned to Greece from Turkey.
 |
| I stood in front of the preserved entrance to the church. |
The church�s cracked columns and crumbling stucco appear to have survived several earthquakes over the years. The church�s interior is now closed to the public, but it looks like some efforts are being made to stabilize the church.
 |
| The interior of the Taksiyarhis Greek Orthodox Church |
If you stroll up to the top of the hill from the Taksiyarhis church, you will find the ruins of another abandoned and dilapidated church.
 |
| I liked this photo because of the Turkish flag in the background. |
There were no signs nearby, so I�m unsure of any information about this former church. However, someone apparently is using the church�s interior to set up camp.
 |
| Strange place to set up a tent. |
Just a few more meters up the hill and you are rewarded with a view of the town below and the surrounding seawaters.
