Saint Polycarp Church, Izmir

Saint Polycarp Church is a prominent Catholic church located in the Konak district of Izmir. Dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Polycarp, it is the oldest still-functioning Christian house of worship in Izmir. Constructed in 1625 with the permission of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I and at the request of the French King Louis XIII, the church has endured centuries of natural and man-made disasters, standing as a testament to resilience and faith.

Saint Polycarp Church was restored in 1775 with support from French King Louis XVI, transforming it into a three-nave basilica. A marble plaque for Louis XIII was added in 1820. Between 1892 and 1989, French architect Raymond Charles Péré led further renovations, adding chapels and frescoes depicting Saint Polycarp’s life. Although the Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922 destroyed much of the area, the church survived and was rebuilt in 1929.

The building, constructed from stone and brick, is a rectangular basilica with three naves, oriented in an east-west direction. Its most distinctive feature is an octagonal bell tower located at the southwestern corner of the church. The interior is adorned with vibrant frescoes, which have been carefully restored and preserved over the years.

Saint Polycarp, the church’s patron, was converted to Christianity by Saint John the Evangelist and became the Bishop of Smyrna. He was martyred in AD 155 after refusing to renounce his faith. His feast day is celebrated on January 26th, making Saint Polycarp Church not only a place of worship but also a monument to the endurance of the Christian faith in Izmir.