160-Year-Old Church in Çeşme Turned Into Parking Lot: 300-Year-Old Statue Stolen

In the Altınyunus district of Çeşme, İzmir, a small 19th-century church has been left to decay after decades of neglect. Once home to a rare 300-year-old architectural statue of Jesus, the site has been looted, vandalized, and even turned into an informal parking lot.

Forgotten Heritage on the Aegean Coast

Estimated to have been built around 160 years ago, the church now stands in ruins. Its collapsed walls, overgrown weeds, and graffiti-covered surfaces reveal years of abandonment. Locals describe the site as “Çeşme’s forgotten heritage,” urging authorities to take immediate action before it disappears entirely.

Experts Warned Seven Years Ago

In 2018, a team of cultural heritage experts—including Nezih Başgelen, Prof. Dr. İsmail Gezgin, former Çeşme City Council head Ömer Önal, and Dr. Ahmet Güler—prepared a report stressing the urgent need for preservation. Despite their warnings, no protective measures have been taken in the seven years since.

The Theft of a 300-Year-Old Statue

The church’s most valuable element was a rare keystone carving: a 300-year-old statue of Jesus Christ. The artifact, considered unique in regional church architecture, was stolen years ago by unknown individuals and has never been recovered.

Vandalism and Public Outcry

Today, the site is under constant threat from treasure hunters and vandals. Vehicles are parked inside its crumbling walls, while spray paint defaces what remains.
The Çeşme Environmental Association issued a stark statement:

“The historical landmarks that shape Çeşme’s identity are vanishing before our eyes. This church has been abandoned due to lack of preservation and restoration. We urgently call on authorities to act.”

The ruined church, once a modest symbol of Çeşme’s multicultural past, now stands as a striking example of how neglect and looting erase cultural memory.

Cover Image: The 160-year-old church in Çeşme’s Altınyunus district has fallen into ruin after decades of neglect. Once home to a 300-year-old statue, the site is now vandalized and even used as a parking lot. Credit: Ege’de Son Söz