Balatlar Construction Community – Sinop

The Balatlar Church is a cruciform church from the late Roman/early Byzantine period, located within a monumental complex in the center of Sinop, originally built as a Roman imperial bathhouse. The structure is part of a monastery-church complex whose surroundings were long used as a Greek Orthodox cemetery.

Balatlar Structure Complex - Sinop (Türkiye Culture Portal)

History

• Roman period (2nd century AD): Constructed as an imperial bathhouse (palaestra, frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium, laconicum).
• Transformation (late 4th – early 5th century): Water use ceased and the building was converted into a church.
• Orthodox period (17th–20th centuries): The church was dedicated to the Koimesis (Dormition of the Virgin Mary) and Archangel Michael; its dome and vaults were repaired in the mid-17th century and remained in use by the Greek community for worship and burial until the early 20th century.

Architectural Features

Three of the original bathhouse halls have survived to the present. Geophysical surveys have confirmed the presence of hypocaust traces. One of these is identified as the caldarium, another as the frigidarium-nekhorion (burial chapel); the rectangular palaestra area is partially discernible.

Artistic Equipment

• Mosaics: Ten distinct panels in opus tessellatum technique, bearing Greek inscriptions, were uncovered in the frigidarium floor during excavations from 2016 to 2021. The compositions emphasize bird iconography (eagle, dove, partridge, parrot, stork, etc.) and refrigerium (heavenly repose) scenes.
• Eagle within a cartouche: Interpreted as a psychopomp and symbol of Christ; found only in Panel No. 1.
• Rows of doves: Appear in Panels No. II, V, and VIII as symbols of the Holy Spirit and peace.
• Frescoes: A scene dating to the 18th–20th centuries, depicting the Martyr Saint Marina in a red maphorion, survives on the lintel of the southern entrance arch; the figure embodies the theme of victory over evil spirits (Baalzebub).

Excavations and Research

Systematic archaeological excavations have been ongoing since 2010 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Gülgün Köroğlu, supported by the Sinop Provincial Directorate, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and local institutions. These studies have meticulously documented the transformation from bath to church, the mosaic iconography, and burial practices.

Current Status

The structure complex is currently in the excavation and conservation phase; preservation and publication efforts continue for the mosaics and frescoes. The site is open to limited visits under academic supervision.