As part of the Ottoman Empire’s modernization efforts, the Tanzimat and Islahat Edicts sought to establish the concept of Ottoman citizenship. Many reforms introduced during this period aimed to eliminate the distinctions between non-Muslim and Muslim subjects. These regulations, which can be considered the first steps toward the modern state based on citizenship, also lifted the restrictions on the construction of new places of worship for non-Muslims. As a natural consequence of this development, many new churches were built in İzmir from the second half of the 19th century onward.
By the early 20th century, historical records indicate that there were more than 30 churches in the city center, belonging to different Christian denominations. Following the liberation of İzmir from Greek occupation, the Great Fire of İzmir, which began on September 13, 1922, and lasted for four days, affected a significant portion of the city center, resulting in the destruction of many churches in the area. However, some churches managed to survive and have been preserved to this day. Among them, several churches remain active and continue to provide religious services.
St. Polycarp Church, dedicated to Saint Polycarp, who was executed in the ancient city of Smyrna in the 2nd century CE for being a Christian, was built in the first half of the 17th century, at a time when Rome had not yet recognized Christianity as its official religion. The church has undergone numerous renovations. In 1898, it was both expanded and its interior decoration was redesigned. The frescoes created during this renovation were painted by Raymond Pere, the architect of İzmir’s iconic Clock Tower. Today, St. Polycarp Church remains an active place of worship and is located in the city center within the district of Konak.
Santa Maria Church, Saint John Catholic Church, Notre Dame du Rosaire Church, St. John Anglican Church, and Saint Vukolos Church are among the other significant churches in the city center of İzmir. Santa Maria Church was constructed in 1698, and the Venetian-made church organ, still in use today, dates back to 1700. The construction of Saint John Catholic Church began in 1862 and it was opened for worship in 1874. Notably, Sultan Abdülaziz, the reigning Ottoman sultan at the time, made a significant financial contribution to its construction. Also known as the Alsancak Catholic Church, Notre Dame du Rosaire Church was built in honor of the Holy Rosary and was opened for worship in 1904.
St. John Anglican Church was built on land donated by Sultan Abdülhamid II, the ruling Ottoman sultan of the time, to meet the worship needs of the British community in İzmir. The church was opened for worship in 1898. The Saint Vukolos Church, the only Greek Orthodox Church in İzmir that has survived to the present day, is located in the Basmane district. This building, which was used as a museum, opera rehearsal hall, and storage facility from time to time, was transferred to the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality in 2003. Its subsequent planning and restoration work was completed in 2014, and the building is currently used as a cultural center.