Lost amid Ankara’s modern sprawl, Aziz Klemens Kilisesi stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s Byzantine past. This is Ankara’s last Byzantine church. Today, only fragments remain. It struggles to survive.
The story of Aziz Klemens Kilisesi is intertwined with the life of Saint Clement. Clement was born in Ankara in 283. He was a bishop who dedicated his life to spreading Christianity. In 303, Emperor Diocletian, known for persecuting Christians, had Clement killed. The Orthodox Church later declared Clement a saint. A church was built in his name during the Byzantine era.
Imagine Ankara during the Byzantine era. Aziz Klemens Kilisesi would have been a prominent religious site. Historians believe the church was built sometime between the fourth and ninth centuries. Over the centuries, the church witnessed the rise and fall of empires.
Later, during the Ottoman era, Ahmed Bin Hızır Yeğen Bey built a mosque and madrasah on top of Aziz Klemens Kilisesi during the reign of Sultan Murad II. Sadly, a fire in 1917 destroyed these structures. Only the minaret remained for a short time. It was removed in 1925. An Arabic inscription from the mosque was discovered. It is now housed in the Ethnography Museum.
Today, accessing Aziz Klemens Kilisesi is a challenge. The church is hidden among office buildings in the Altındağ district. To visit, you need permission from the office owners. Then you must walk down a fire escape. What remains of the church is a fraction of its former self. Only the interior facade of a wall and some marble blocks survive.
Despite its state, Aziz Klemens Kilisesi offers clues about its construction. It was built using a technique with rubble stone and brick rows. The church’s original design included four equal arms. These had long, thin cross reliefs. Frescoes once adorned the arches supporting the dome. These were plastered over when the building became a mosque.
The passage of time and urban development have taken their toll on Aziz Klemens Kilisesi. It stands as a symbol of Ankara’s layered past. It is a reminder of the Byzantine era. Efforts are needed to preserve this important cultural artifact. Though largely forgotten, Aziz Klemens Kilisesi whispers stories of faith. It also tells tales of resilience and transformation. The church embodies Ankara’s rich history.