Christian architecture in Cilicia and Isauria with the church of Demirciören as an example

Abstract

The early Christian churches of the regions of Cilicia and Isauria reflect mainly local characteristics, but also in part the architecture of Syria and Istanbul. While the basilica like plan, the wall masonry, the fact that there are no window openings on the north façade due to climatic conditions and the three arcaded entrance on the narthex on the western side reflect local characteristics, the eastern triple section consisting of the bema (low enclosure surrounding the altar in Eastern Orthodox churches) and of the two rooms flanking the bema and the galleries in the lateral rooms are reflections of Syrian church architecture and the galleries in the nartex and the lateral naves are reflections of Istanbul church architecture. All this is visible in the Demirciören church, which must have been built at the beginning of the 6th century.