Church Remains of Ayanikola Island

The Church Remains of Ayanikola Island are architectural fragments belonging to a church structure located on a small island approximately three kilometers west of the center of Ünye district, within Ordu province.

Location

Ayanikola Island is situated in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, within the Ünye district of Ordu province. It lies within the boundaries of Atatürk Neighborhood, at the Ayanikola Street location, approximately three kilometers west of the Ünye district center. The island is positioned very close to the mainland and is connected to it by a stone and lime mortar-built causeway. The remains of the Ayanikola Church are located on the island.

Church Remains

Today, only the outer wall fragments of the structure associated with the Ayanikola Church remain standing. The architectural integrity of the building has been largely compromised, with structural traces preserved only at the foundation level. The church draws attention due to its construction on a small island. The remains indicate that the structure has suffered deterioration over time due to various environmental and historical factors.

Ayanikola Island (Ünye Municipality)

Historical and Religious Significance

According to research, Saint Nicholas, known in the Christian world as Santa Claus, is believed to have conducted his earliest religious activities in the Central Black Sea region and to be associated with the Ayanikola Church. The church is regarded as one of the religious pilgrimage sites for Christians. In this context, the structure holds a significant place among the region’s important historical heritage from both religious and cultural perspectives.

Restoration and Tourism Development Efforts

With the support of the Ordu Provincial Governorship, the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality has initiated restoration and landscape improvement works on Ayanikola Island and its church remains. The project has been approved by the Samsun Council for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. As part of the restoration, consolidation works will be carried out on the stone walls of the church and its surroundings. Access from the mainland to the island will be provided via a wooden bridge designed in harmony with the island’s cultural and natural structure. Additionally, the area around the island will be equipped with wooden steps, and the bridge and surrounding areas will be illuminated with lighting elements.

Ayanikola Island (

Preparation and Implementation Process

The restoration and landscape improvement project was prepared by the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality’s KUDEB (Protection, Implementation and Inspection Office) unit in collaboration with experts from the Ünye Municipality and the Ünye Urban Council. The project is being implemented with the aim of integrating the island and its church remains into tourism while preserving the cultural heritage.