Faith / Church
Church of St. Mary of the Spring (Balıklı Meryem Ana Rum Kilisesi)
Zeytinburnu, İstanbul
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary of the Spring, of Byzantine origin, outside the land walls, known for its holy spring (ayazma).
Safety warning
Its story
The first church on this site is known to have been built in the 6th century, in the reign of Justinian I, over a spring considered to have healing powers. According to legend, during the siege of 1453 the fish in the ayazma (holy spring) miraculously came to life, and the church took the name 'Balıklı' ('with fish') from this story. The present building was rebuilt in 1835 to replace the old church damaged in the Ottoman period. The ayazma, reached by stairs descending underground, with the fish in its pool, and the surrounding Greek Orthodox cemetery can be visited.
Key facts
- Period
- 6th-century origins; present building 1835
- Admission
- Free
- Getting there
- Seyitnizam–Balıklı buses; T1 Seyitnizam
- Visit duration
- 30–45 minutes
Trip purpose
- Free
- Quiet
Location
41.00650, 28.91570
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bal%C4%B1kl%C4%B1_Meryem_Ana_Rum_Manast%C4%B1r%C4%B1 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St._Mary_of_the_Spring_%28Istanbul%29