A few words about the church
The church, also known as Panagia of Pera, honours the name of Virgin Mary at the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. It is the oldest church in the district of Pera. The church was built by authorisation of Sultan Selim III by Architect Chatzis Comnenos Kalfas and was inaugurated on 18 September 1804. Over time it was expanded and took its current form of five – aisled basilica.
Its characteristic belfry is directed towards to the central avenue of Pera. Its wooden templon and the frescoes, that are similar to those in Chora Church, stand out. The church was seriously destroyed after the bomb attack to the English Consulate on 20 November 2003 and was re-inaugurated after its complete refurbishment on 21 November 2009.
