Traces of Lost Greek Orthodox Churches in 19th Century Izmir City Center

In the 19th century, Izmir was an important commercial center with a multicultural social structure. Muslim, Orthodox Greek, Catholic Levantine, Protestant, Armenian and Jew communities shaped the physical environment they lived in with their own cultures. Religious structures such as mosques, churches and synagogues are important symbols of this multiculturalism in the city. 19th century is the date when non-muslim population in the city increased as well as Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches. However, when the churches in the city center are examined today, a large part of them are Catholic churches. Many of the Orthodox churches belonging to the Greek community, which constituted a significant part of the population in the multicultural social structure of Izmir, were either destroyed in the Great Izmir Fire in the 20th century or lost due to the decrease in the non-Muslim population in the region. This study examines the Greek Orthodox churches in the city center of Izmir in the 19th century. The aim is to reveal these churches and compare the maps of the period with contemporary maps to determine the locations of the lost Greek Orthodox churches. In addition, it aims to reveal the architectural, social and symbolic values of Greek Orthodox buildings by using period maps, postcards and old photographs as sources.