The St. Polycarp Church

The Saint Polycarp Church is located in the Alsancak,İzmir. It is dedicated to Polycarp, the Bishop of Izmir who lived between 69 and 155 AD. Since Polycarp is regarded as the protector saint of Izmir, the city celebrates "Saint Polycarp Day" every year on February 23. The present-day church bearing his name was built in 1625 with the permission of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and was restored after the great fire of 1680. In 1775, with the approval of the Ottoman authorities and the support of Louis XVI, the church was restored once again and transformed into a three-nave basilica. During restorations carried out between 1892 and 1898, the structure was expanded with the addition of chapels and elaborately decorated. Toward the end of the 19th century, French artist, painter, and architect Raymond C. Péré, who had settled in İzmir, created frescoes inside the church depicting Saint Polycarp's life.

Polycarp, who was one of the last witnesses to the apostles' era and remains a symbol of the Christian faith in İzmir, continues to be an important Apostolic witness today. The life, teachings, and death of Saint Polycarp an important transmitter of the sacred Apostolic traditions still hold great significance for the Christian community. He is considered one of the most important Church Fathers in Christian history, having been martyred for his faith.