Research on the Armenian churchs of İstanbul and Saint John Armenian Church of Narlıkapı (The Old Armenian Hospital of Narlıkapı)

The aim of this thesis is to introduce the churchs of Armenians whom are living in Istanbul by hundred years. In this context, Narlikapi Saint John Church, which stays out of the Sur (rampart) wall, is examined in detail to have ideas about Armenian Churchs in İstanbul. First of all analytical building survey and photographic documentation is made. Structure has been examined and changes has been determined by library research. Although general characteristics of the other Armenian Churchs in Istanbul are examined by preparing a catalogue. Consequent of several investigations, it is understood that the structure was built as the first Armenian hospital in İstanbul. In written documentaries it is specified that the structure had consisted of a chapel and treatment places during the hospital period of the building. This function had continued for normal patients and also lunatics until the patients was moved to Yedikule Surp Pırgiç Hospital in 1834. Since then structure has being used as a church. Presently it is still being used as a church which consists of a rectangular main space and a baptismal part on the left. The church is covered with a gable roof above the vault. İstanbul Armenian Churchs has developed much different from Anatolian Armenian architecture. They have mostly impressed from Byzantium art and church architecture peculiar to İstanbul has borned. They usually had been built in the T plan scheme, which consists a single-nave basilical naos and two cells on the right and left. They had been covered by gable roof above the vault. It is hard to find examples different from this style in İstanbul. Narlikapi Saint John Armenian Church which is chosen through İstanbul Armenian Churchs befits to the İstanbul Armenian Churchs Architecture. In this study which intends to display the changes of Saint John Armenian Church among the history, detailed building survey projects were drawn and different periods of the building was analysed according to the literatural researchs. Since the church still has a religious community and preserves its function, it is planned to carry on its function after being bowdlerized from the bad additional parts of the late periods. Keywords: Saint John Armenian Church, Armenian Churchs, Narlıkapı, Door of Studion, churchs.