AYA ELENA CHURCH AND MUSEUM
Prominent, marvellous structure, Aya Elena Church is situated in Selçuklu, district of Konya. This glorious, precious house of worship is one of the oldest churches in Anatolia which shows that it has a very deep and rich historical tissue. With this aspect, the holy building, symbol of Christianity has been visited by domestic and foreign tourist today from past.
PROFOUND HISTORY
The breath-taking construction impresses the people with its wealth history; many centuries ago, in the period of Rome (Byzantine), the mother of Byzantine Great King Constantine, Helena, set off Holy place’’ Jerusalem’’ to pilgrimage. During this long journey, she visited Konya. When she saw those fascinating chapels, churches the engraved temples and monasteries belonging to the first ages of Christianity, Helena ordered to build today’s Aya Elena Church here for the sake of Mihail Arkhankolos who is the defender of the church according to the Bible.
Afterwards, as a result of many renovations, the dreamy building, one of the main praying spaces, Aya Elena Church can arrive at our day. Today it is used as a museum visited various tourists coming from different countries to see it.
Additionaly, because the enchanting church is surrogated by unique masterpieces, underground churches and numerous mosques, it enables the visitors to wander around which creates a full of adventure tour.
PROFOUND HISTORY
The breath-taking construction impresses the people with its wealth history; many centuries ago, in the period of Rome (Byzantine), the mother of Byzantine Great King Constantine, Helena, set off Holy place’’ Jerusalem’’ to pilgrimage. During this long journey, she visited Konya. When she saw those fascinating chapels, churches the engraved temples and monasteries belonging to the first ages of Christianity, Helena ordered to build today’s Aya Elena Church here for the sake of Mihail Arkhankolos who is the defender of the church according to the Bible.
Afterwards, as a result of many renovations, the dreamy building, one of the main praying spaces, Aya Elena Church can arrive at our day. Today it is used as a museum visited various tourists coming from different countries to see it.
Additionaly, because the enchanting church is surrogated by unique masterpieces, underground churches and numerous mosques, it enables the visitors to wander around which creates a full of adventure tour.
ARCHITECTURE
It grabs the visitors not only its historical tissue but also its amazing, miraculous architecture reflecting Christianity, Holy Spirit and Rome Era. In the indoors of the church includes an inscription written by Greek letters giving information about the history of the church. This private inscription dates back 1833. The church has been made of smoothly cut Sille stone.
Moreover, there are found several rooms carved into the soft rock in the courtyard of this splendid church.It is entered from the north door of it to external narthex. This section contains stone stairs with two sides opening the woman’s gathering place (kadınlar mahfeli in Turkish).
Except for those features, situated on the four special pillars, Aya Elena Church has three nephs, various wonderful icons on its walls such as Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and his apostles.
It grabs the visitors not only its historical tissue but also its amazing, miraculous architecture reflecting Christianity, Holy Spirit and Rome Era. In the indoors of the church includes an inscription written by Greek letters giving information about the history of the church. This private inscription dates back 1833. The church has been made of smoothly cut Sille stone.
Moreover, there are found several rooms carved into the soft rock in the courtyard of this splendid church.It is entered from the north door of it to external narthex. This section contains stone stairs with two sides opening the woman’s gathering place (kadınlar mahfeli in Turkish).
Except for those features, situated on the four special pillars, Aya Elena Church has three nephs, various wonderful icons on its walls such as Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and his apostles.
Content Author : Ebrar OKÇU
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 01 November 2014
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 01 November 2014
