Saint Polycarp Church
Saint Polycarp Church
4
About
This 19th-century church is lavishly decorated and is the oldest in the city. It was named after St. Polycarp, the first bishop of Smyrna who was burned at the stake.
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- Çankaya • 5 min walk
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1,218 within 3 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
94 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
10
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junior1907
Istanbul, Türkiye195,903 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Today is December 13, 2023 and we went to visit the church, but the door turned into a wall. There was a very hectic construction work. Apparently, the church is under serious restoration work. For this reason, of course, it is closed to visitors.
Written December 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fidelisblue
Vancouver, Canada134 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I visited this church twice, on Saturday and Sunday. I rang the door bells and there was no answer on both days. The security guards nearby confirmed that the church was no longer open for visit.
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J-in-Naperville
Naperville, IL82 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Our hotel in Selcuk called this place to make an arrangement for our visit. The answering nun (?) told him that they will only accept a group of at least 15 people. But we are only a couple. When we arrived in Izmir, our Izmir hotel suggested that we go there and ring the bell. So, we went to St. Polycarp church and rang the door bell (this place locks the gate all the time). As Christians, we do not want to miss a visiting opportunity for this historical church. The answering nun was very rude. She did not want to hear our plea. She simply said "no, only group tour." Her voice and tone implied that I do not want to talk to you and just go away. When I rang the bell again, she was very irritated and rude. I do not understand her reason why she only accepts a group of visitors, not a couple. As a fellow Christian, I was ashamed of her behavior.
Written April 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sms1961
Fort Worth,Texas91 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Named for the revered, martyred (c.155 CE) bishop of Smyrna, St. Polycarp, is the oldest church in Izmir (ancient Symrna). Reconstructed in the early 1600s, the oranate sanctuary depicts Polycarp's life of service and sacrifice, as wells as honoring additional Christian saints. Visits to the church outside times for worship are by special arrangement.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kubus4
Canberra89 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
I heard that the church was worth a visit, but unfortunately it was closed (and on a Sunday!??), although we went there within their stated opening hours - very disappointing to have made an effort and only see closed gates/doors. There are other churches around the area that are worth visiting and were open.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frambus
ensenada,mexico53 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
We wanted to visit this wonderful and historic Church this month when we were at Izmir, but a nun, not very polite, just answer the inter phone when we rang the bell and told us that it was not possible to visiting it if we were not a group !!! that was very desagreable !!! we travelled a long way to visit it and they didn`t even show their face just answered by an interphone !!!!
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elise5055
Tølløse13 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
We would have visited the church but it was unfortunately only for groups and we were just two persons.
Written November 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie B
Auckland, New Zealand40 contributions
Apr 2011 • Solo
It was Easter Sunday morning, I was returning to my hotel from a walk and by chance came across St Polycarps. The Church is enclosed by a high wall and seems to remain closed most of the time and only opens on important days. It was my lucky day as there was a Mass for Easter Sunday and I managed to gain entry into this spectacular Church. The Church is beautiful, the Mass was said in many different languages and it felt a privilege to have been part of it. I spent quite a long time taking beautiful photos of this ancient Church. There is an intercom system in the side road but even though I used it, nobody answers. There are huge gates which lock the building, hopefully any traveller wanting to see this sight will have the opportunity, try knocking on these gates as sometimes there is a gardener in the grounds. Learn some basic Turkish, it may be in your favour to gain entry.
Written August 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In K
Fullerton, CA24 contributions
May 2019
They only open 3-5 pm. It small but pretty church and good to stop by. Did not expect to see a copy of the shroud of Turin and good addition.
Written July 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lana F
40 contributions
May 2019 • Family
A catholic church in Izmir, it was reconstructed in 1620, one of the oldest churches in the city. You can visit it with family or friends.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there any way to contact the church to arrange a visit. We would like to visit on Friday. There will be 20 of us. thanks
Written August 5, 2019
I don't know but they open 3 pm to 5 pm.
Written August 8, 2019
Apakah di ijinkan untuk grup ziarah kami ber ibadat / mengadakan misa di gereja St Polycarpus ???? bila ya kemana kami harus minta ijin ???
Written January 28, 2019
Kilise hangi günler açık ve saat kaçta giriş izni var? Giriş ücreti var mı?
Written September 5, 2018
merhaba
pazar haric hergun 15.00 ile 17.00 arasinda zile basarak iceri girebilirsiniz.
Written September 5, 2018
Gibt es noch offene Kirchen in Izmir?
Written April 20, 2018
İstediğimiz saat gitme iznimiz var mı çok görmek istiyorum bu kliseyi
Written February 7, 2017
Hatırladığım kadarıyla ziyaret için 09.00-16.30 kış saati uygulanıyordu,ama tam da emin değilim.
Written February 7, 2017
I would love to visit this church ,but I see that they only allow groups. Does anyone know what tour company offers group tours ?
Written February 17, 2016
A Tripadvisor member
ci e' il bagno in camera
Written May 30, 2015
i have been trying to contact the church but no boday answer me, do you have any email address for the church ?
Written May 15, 2015
Unfortunately I can't help :( we were disappointed when we go to the church, as it was closed - although we were there within stated opening hours; Perhaps if you contact Izmir Tourist Information, they may have contact details for the church?
Good luck and sorry that cannot be more helpful :(
Written May 16, 2015
Hi, I'm planning on coming to Saint Polycarp Church from London to baptize my son, Chris Kawmi, this June around the 27/th 28th. I'm looking to get in touch with someone from the church to get more information and be able to discuss the matter. Is there an email address or phone number I can contact? Many thanks, Simon Kawmi
Written April 18, 2015
The phone number of the St Polycarp Church at Izmir is +90 232 484 8436.
All the Best
Stephen Ng
20 April 2015
Written April 19, 2015
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