Armenian church in Bursa, Turkey, put up for sale

Public Radio of Armenia

Jan 17 2021

– Public Radio of Armenia

An Armenian Catholic Church in Bursa has been put up for sale for 6.3 million Turkish liras (about $800,000) on sahibinden.com.

The advertisement is titled “Historical church that can become a culture and art center/museum/hotel in Bursa,” reports Gazete Duvar.

The website notes that the church, which was built for the Armenian population in the region, passed into private ownership, and had been used as tobacco warehouse since 1923 and then as a weaving factory.

It adds that the church, located in a region included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, can be used for touristic purposes.

Member of the Turkish Parliament from HDP Party, ethnic Armenian Garo Pylan, has slammed the decision.

“Armenian Church for sale in Bursa. Can the place of worship be sold? How can society and state allow this? Shame on you!,” Paylan said in a Facebook post.

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2021/01/18/armenian-church-in-bursa-turkey-put-up-for-sale/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS