Small Ayvasıl St. Anna Church

Küçük Ayvasıl St. Anna Church is a historic Christian place of worship located in Çarşı Mahallesi. The Greek inscription above the entrance door indicates that the structure was repaired in the 9th century by Byzantine Emperor Basil I. For this reason, the church is regarded as one of the oldest in the city. The three-aisled structure exhibits architectural features characteristic of the Byzantine period and was used as a church until 1923.

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No definitive information exists regarding the original construction date of the structure. However, the Greek inscription above the entrance door confirms that it was repaired in the 9th century by Byzantine Emperor Basil I. The church functioned as a place of worship during the Byzantine period and became one of the rare churches in the city that were not converted into mosques during the Ottoman era. It is known to have continued its function as a church until the 20th century.

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The Küçük Ayvasıl Church has a three-aisled, three-apsidal basilica plan. The structure is oriented east-west. The main apse is semicircular both internally and externally. Cut stone and rubble stone were used in its construction. Interior spaces contain fresco fragments dated to the Byzantine period, depicting biblical scenes and saints. The entrance door features reused stone with figurative reliefs.

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The Küçük Ayvasıl Church was restored under a conservation program carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During the restoration, the architectural integrity of the structure was preserved, and the interior frescoes were documented and conserved. The church is registered in the inventory of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism and holds the status of a protected immovable cultural heritage site.

The structure was built in accordance with the Byzantine Orthodox tradition. Its dedication to Saint Anne is regarded as one of the prominent examples of the cult of female saints in the Byzantine world. The church's Its founding purpose was to sustain Christian worship and the veneration of saints.