Christian religious architecture in Bingöl and vicinity

Throughout history, Bingöl province, which has hosted numerous civilizations, serves as a bridge connecting neighboring provinces due to its strategic location. One of the cities in Anatolia where earthquakes are most intensely felt, Bingöl first rose to prominence in history with the discovery of obsidian—a volcanic rock found in its territory—by humans. Although permanent settlement in Bingöl began late due to its climatic conditions, its rich obsidian deposits attracted nomadic communities to the area as early as ancient times. After the emergence of the first sedentary settlements and until the fall of Urartu, Bingöl was used as a vital route linking Van and Elazığ. In the 4th century, when Armenians adopted Christianity as their official religion, the first Christian religious structures were built in the city. Located within the natural border zone between the Persians and Romans, Bingöl was repeatedly affected by the conflicts between these empires. Despite their Christian faith, the local Armenian population periodically fell under the influence of different imperial powers. Following invasions by the Mongols and Arabs, the region came under Turkish control in the 11th century, marking the end of Persian and Byzantine dominance in the area. The Armenian community, which later passed under the rule of Turkish principalities and eventually Ottoman sovereignty, maintained its presence in the region for a long time under Ottoman protection. During the 18th and 19th centuries, new Christian religious buildings were constructed in Bingöl, but by the mid-20th century these buildings had been abandoned and fell into ruins. This study focuses primarily on the presentation and evaluation of these buildings built during the Ottoman period.