he Board of Trustees of the Community of the
Holy Church of Panagia Paramythia Vlah Saray has officially launched a
three-year restoration and renovation initiative in Istanbul. The project targets the historic
church complex and its
surrounding facilities, marking a major milestone for cultural heritage preservation in the
Fener-Balat region.
Expected to take three years, the project includes 3D modeling and analysis of the church
structure, digitization to
share findings with the broader cultural heritage conservation community, preservation of
building walls, emergency
consolidation, and the design and restoration of the roof structure, which was damaged in a fire
50 years ago. Upon
completion, the Panagia Paramythia Church will serve as a Cultural Center that can host events
such as meetings,
concerts, and fairs, bringing together all residents of Fener. Consul General Julie Eadeh
described the Panagia
Paramythia project as "an example of the U.S. commitment to respecting cultural heritage and
diversity, as well as
promoting education and technology as instruments for the public good."
Academic and International Partnership for Cultural Preservation
This preservation effort is driven by a collaboration with Özyeğin University’s Faculty of Architecture and Design. Supported through the prestigious 2022 U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the initiative combines 3D digital documentation, structural stabilization, and academic research to safeguard the site’s historic value. The launch event was hosted at Özyeğin University with key dignitaries in attendance, including:
- Julie Eadeh, U.S. Consul General in Istanbul.
- Esra Gençtürk, Rector of Özyeğin University.
- Aslıhan Ünlü, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design.
- Alessandro Camiz, Lead Project Architect and Professor.
- Laki Vinga, President of the Board of Trustees for the Holy Church.
