Just behind the Ege-Yıldız site in İzmir Çeşme, the 18th century ancient church was abandoned to its fate, waiting to disappear, and was plundered by historical artifact thieves. The statue of Jesus Christ, which was found on the church wall and was estimated to have been made in 1859, was stolen.
Nezih Başgelen, Member of the National Council of Culture of the Ministry of Culture, and archaeologist from Ege University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Gezgin, Former Cesme City Council President Ömer Önal, Dr. Ahmet Güler and many other participants examined it on the spot on July 11, 2018, made a report about it and published it in various media, and demanded that this ancient church, which is an important historical and cultural heritage of Çeşme, be taken under protection. In the intervening 3 years, no measures were taken for the church. The ancient church was again abandoned to its fate.
Dr. Ahmet Güler said, ”When I was walking with my wife Serap on April 4, 2021, we decided to take a look at the church. As soon as we looked at it, we were hurt because in 2018, the right part of the dome, which was still standing, was destroyed and the stones were thrown to the ground. Looking more carefully, the statue of Jesus, the most important part of the ancient church, was dismantled with embossed stone cutters and piercing tools, and winds were blowing in its place.”
Noting the theft of antiquities to the official authorities, Güler said that the Çeşme Police Department and the prosecutor’s office immediately stepped in, and that the police officers came to the scene to investigate, even at night. Güler, who went to the police station with her husband and gave a statement, also stated that the reports were kept and files were prepared for the Çeşme Prosecutor’s Office.
While the incident was reported to official institutions, a request letter was sent to the Presidency for better protection of the work. (Voice of Çeşme)
