Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Armenian Catholic Church
Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Armenian Catholic Church; It was built in 1837 behind the French Consulate in Taksim Square on the Rumelian side of the Bosphorus. The building is the largest church of Catholic Armenians and has a capacity of 600 people. It was destroyed and burned over time. Architect brothers named Garabed and Andon Tülbençiyan repaired the church, which was in ruins, and built a school next to it. It is said that there was a dormitory, a hospital and a school here during this period. In 1838, the adjacent lands were purchased and a large church was built. The current structure was built in 1863. The architect of today's building is Garabet Tülbentçiyan. Surp Hovhan Vοsgeperan Church is the largest and most magnificent church of Armenian Catholics in Turkey and was founded by Pope John II in 1979. It was visited by Jean Paul. There is a small courtyard to the west of the building. The building was built with smooth cut stone material. There is a three-part narthex to the west of the church, and an apse and choir sections to the east. The building, which has a plan with a central dome, is supported by four piers. There are ceiling cassettes in the interior details of the octagonal dome. The interior, where the neoclassical style is effective, is enlivened with half-round arch openings, recessed pillars, columns and composite capitals. The bell tower is located in the southeast of the building.
