--- title: Kırkharman (Akpınar) Church slug: kirkharman-akpinar-church-fedc3 url: /detay/kirkharman-akpinar-church-fedc3 type: article language: English entity: primary: Kırkharman (Akpınar) Church type: article disambiguation: Kırkharman (Akpınar) Kilisesi: Tarihi Giresun'da 19. yy. Rum kilisesi. Silk Road'da önemli bir yapı. categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: Architecture slug: mimari url: /kategori/mimari - name: Travel And Tourism slug: seyahat-ve-turizm url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm tags: - Kırkharman Church - Greek Orthodox - Silk Road - Cultural Heritage - Giresun author: Murat Şen created_at: 2025-08-25T14:42:45.503249+03:00 updated_at: 2025-09-01T14:36:05.364058+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/25/OxnONAuh6Ga82MI3eVqxI5hUKA92ZsZI.jpg --- # Kırkharman (Akpınar) Church ## KURE Information Cards ![thumbs_b_c_83eded767a06e3fdeaafcd1f7ffe5221.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/25/RwuiVsg3k9Pe7p2x3i0LbIdYEjYYgqnB.jpg) *Kırkharman Church* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Structure(s) | Stone Building Three-Nave Basilical Plan Barrel Vault Ceiling | | Location | Yağlıdere - Giresun - Türkiye | | Construction Period | 19th Century (circa 1850) Greek Orthodox Period | | Protection Status(es) | Registered by the Trabzon Regional Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets Decision No. 4739,Dated 03.07.2003 | ## Article Content **Kırkharman Church**, also locally known as **Akpınar Church**, is a historic structure located within the boundaries of Akpınar Village in the Yağlıdere district of [Giresun Province](/en/detay/giresun-province-1a51d/llms.txt), Türkiye. It was registered as an immovable cultural property by the Trabzon Regional Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets with decision number 4739 dated July 3, 2003. Due to its location along the historical Silk Road route, the [church](/en/detay/kirkharman-akpinar-church-81c01/llms.txt) is considered significant both strategically and culturally. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/08/25/kdvP1hoEB8jAdBnYFEkVCrN8F0dC1GYb.jpg) *Kırkharman Church - (Kültür Portalı)* ### **Historical Background** The building dates back to the 19th century, most likely around 1850. It is believed to have been built by the local Greek Orthodox community and fell into disuse following the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Türkiye. Having remained functionless for approximately 96 years after the exchange, the church stands out as one of the longest-surviving historic religious structures in the Eastern Black Sea region. ### **Architectural Features** The church has a three-nave basilical plan with longitudinally arranged central and side naves. It was built using rubble stone masonry, with materials including rubble stone, finely dressed stone, and cut stone. The ceiling is divided into three separate sections with barrel vaults, constructed using the same masonry technique. Semicircular arches were used to stabilize the interior space. Traditional architectural features are reflected in the use of beam-arch systems, a tripartite apse layout, and Ionic capital piers. Four main piers serve as structural supports, adorned with Ionic-style capitals. The church lacks a narthex. On the western façade is a rectangular entrance door framed with rectangular stone jambs and topped by an empty niche. Single rows of rectangular windows are found on the north and south façades, while the west façade contains two rows of windows, and the eastern apse section has three window openings. The original roof was a hipped roof, which has since been replaced with a concrete version mimicking the original form. The entrance arch still stands intact. The church plan adheres closely to the classical basilica layout while incorporating local stonemasonry craftsmanship. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/08/25/CxXxMvEySyEmetcSmhMs2u2IMbGcOvXr.jpg) *Kırkharman Church - (Kültür Portalı)* ### **Use and Preservation History** After 1923, the church lost its original function and was used as an animal shelter for a long period. Reports indicate that significant damage occurred to the interior during this time. Remarkably, the structure has remained standing without restoration for approximately 169 years, making it one of the most notable surviving historic buildings in the Eastern Black Sea region. Between 2016 and 2019, the building was cleaned and removed from its function as a barn/storehouse through efforts led by the Giresun Governorship Tourism Infrastructure Services Union (GİRTAB), the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, and Giresun University. During this period, Associate Professor Gazanfer İltar of Giresun University’s Faculty of Fine Arts provided information on the historical context, architectural value, and potential restoration plans for the church. ### **Environmental and Demographic Context** The church is located in the [Kırkharman](/en/detay/kirkharman-akpinar-kilisesi-0d0a4/llms.txt) plateau, which, before the population exchange, housed around 50 households. Today, only two households reside there permanently, although the population increases somewhat during the summer months. After the population exchange, the village was largely abandoned. ### **Tourism and Future Plans** [Kırkharman Church](/en/detay/kirkharman-akpinar-kilisesi-98f0e/llms.txt) holds strategic importance for cultural tourism not only due to its architectural value but also because of its location on the historic Silk Road route. It is aimed to be restored and incorporated into the region’s cultural tourism offerings. The seasonal population movement and the church’s geographical position further support tourism potential in the area. ### **Cultural and Historical Significance** Kırkharman Church is one of the few surviving architectural examples that reflect the tangible heritage of the Greek Orthodox presence in the Giresun region. Its construction around 1850 and abandonment following the population exchange mark a significant historical turning point. The building’s ability to remain standing for 169 years can be attributed to both its solid construction and the limited human intervention over the years. ## Academic Sources and References 1. T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı. “Yağlıdere Akpınar Kırkharman Kilisesi.” Kültür Portalı. Erişim 29 Temmuz 2025. https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/giresun/gezilecekyer/yaglidere-akpinar-kirkharman--kilisesiKaradeniz Kültür Envanteri. “Kırkharman Kilisesi – Doğu Karadeniz Kültür Envanteri.” Giresun İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü. Erişim 29 Temmuz 2025. https://karadeniz.gov.tr/kirkharman-kilisesiAnadolu Ajansı. “Definecilere Geçit Verilmeyince Kilise Ayakta Kaldı.” aa.com.tr, 19 Kasım 2016. Erişim 29 Temmuz 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/definecilere-gecit-verilmeyince-kilise-ayakta-kaldi/688945