The Culture and Tourism Ministry, along with local heritage crews, has started restoring the 1,600-year-old Saint George Church in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. The church suffered severe damage due to twin earthquakes eight months ago. The restoration work is expected to be completed within a year, according to Müjdat Gizligöl, the head of the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate. He added that the church is one of the most significant structures that the ministry is committed to protecting following the disaster.
Originally constructed as the administrative church in the fourth century A.D. by the Romans, Saint George Church underwent another restoration process in 2020.
After its restoration was completed, the ancient church was repurposed as an art gallery in June 2021 but suffered substantial damage rendering it unusable following the twin earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6.
Once the restoration is completed, the church will once again serve as an art gallery, Gizligöl said, noting that the church will host a series of cultural and artistic events.
“Our church sustained severe damage. Restoration efforts commenced a month ago and are expected to be completed within a year. Subsequently, it will resume its role as an art gallery. Spanning 35,000 square meters, it is one of the most exceptional structures,” Gizligöl added.
The February earthquakes resulted in extensive damage to numerous historical structures in 11 southern provinces.
“Before the earthquake, we used this place as an art gallery. Public institutions or individuals would come, requesting space for exhibitions, and we would allocate it to them. Many splendid art events took place here,” he expressed.
