Greece: Turkish media criticise Bodrum plan to restore historic Saint Nicholas Church

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW

Local media in Bodrum have criticised the municipal authorities over plans to restore and reopen the historic Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas in Alikarnassos, arguing that the municipality should instead prioritise the region’s serious water shortage.

The criticism was published by Turkish local news website Bodrum Haber, in an article by journalist Canan Baykız, following the recent visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Bodrum municipality.

During the visit, plans were presented for the restoration of the long abandoned Saint Nicholas Church, with the historic building expected to operate as a museum following the project.

“Everything is going well” except the water

Under the ironic headline, “Everything is going well in Bodrum: Only the water gets out of hand from time to time!”, Baykız questions the priorities of the municipal authorities.

The article argues that the decision to focus on the historic church comes at a time when residents are facing significant water shortages.

The writer also connects the issue to the wider and politically sensitive debate between Greece and Turkey over the treatment of religious and cultural monuments, including calls for “reciprocity” concerning Ottoman heritage sites in Greece.

Restoration or reconstruction?

A central point of the criticism concerns the description of the project as a “restoration.”

Baykız argues that because the building has not existed in its original form for approximately 57 years, the project would more accurately be described as reconstruction rather than restoration.

The article then revisits arguments previously made by retired Turkish admiral Cihat Yaycı concerning reciprocity between Greece and Turkey over historic religious and cultural monuments.

Yaycı is a prominent advocate of the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine, which promotes an expansive Turkish view of maritime rights and interests in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.

Bartholomew visit sparks wider debate

Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to Bodrum also comes under scrutiny.

Baykız distinguishes between welcoming a religious leader, which she describes as normal diplomatic and social courtesy, and the more politically sensitive question surrounding the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s status.

The article argues that the visit should not be interpreted as resolving broader disputes surrounding the Patriarchate or the use of the title “Ecumenical.”

It suggests that such questions cannot simply be addressed through ceremonies surrounding the presentation of a restoration project.

Water shortage becomes the main issue

Ultimately, the article’s strongest criticism is directed at the Bodrum municipality’s priorities.

Baykız argues that the municipality should concentrate its resources on the region’s water crisis rather than projects involving historic buildings that have been abandoned for decades.

The criticism reflects a broader debate over how local authorities should balance the preservation of cultural heritage with pressing infrastructure needs.

The restoration of Saint Nicholas Church has significance beyond the building itself, given Bodrum’s Greek Orthodox history and the wider cultural links between the Aegean communities of Greece and Turkey.

At the same time, the controversy demonstrates how historical and religious heritage can become intertwined with contemporary political debates between Athens and Ankara, particularly when issues of reciprocity and the treatment of minority religious monuments are raised.

Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.