Faith / Church
Reji Church (Church of St. Peter and St. Paul)
Eyyübiye, Şanlıurfa
A church built in 1861 for the Syriac community, named 'Reji' because it was later used as a tobacco depot, and converted into a cultural center.
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Its story
The church was built in 1861 on the remains of an older 6th-century church and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. It remained open for worship until the Syriacs of Urfa emigrated to Aleppo in 1924; afterwards it was used by the Tekel (state monopoly) administration first as a tobacco factory and then as a grape depot. The name 'Reji', from the French word 'Régie' meaning monopoly, comes from this period. Restored by the governorship in 1998, the building has hosted concerts, conferences and exhibitions as a cultural center since 2002. Its courtyard, notable for its stonework, and its bell tower are worth seeing.
Key facts
- Period
- 1861
- Admission
- Depends on the event
- Getting there
- Kurtuluş neighborhood, northeast of Ellisekiz Square
- Visit duration
- 20 minutes
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
Location
37.15061, 38.79330
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. Reviews are written in the app after a visit.
Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur/sanliurfada-gecmiste-kilise-olarak-kullanilan-tarihi-yapi-kulturel-etkinliklerle-yeniden-canlaniyor/3757175 | https://www.urfakulturatlasi.com.tr/envanter/detay/reji-kilisesi-aziz-petrus-ve-aziz-paulus-kilisesi | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1995140405