Ayazini Church: A Rock-Cut Structure Witnessing History

Located in the village of Ayazini in the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar, Ayazini Church is an important structure that draws attention with its historical and architectural features. Carved into the tuff rocks, the church sheds light on the history of Ayazini Village, which has been a settlement since the Phrygian Period. The church bears the traces of the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Dating back to the 7th century and reflecting the influence of the Roman era, Ayazini Church is a testament to the pinnacle of artistry, particularly in sculpture, during the Roman period. It exemplifies Byzantine architectural features with its enclosed Greek cross plan. The church is renowned for its spacious, pillar-free interior and dome, which together create an ideal acoustical environment for religious ceremonies. Inside, inscriptions featuring the Virgin Mary and crosses can be found, and the site was used by Greek soldiers in 1921.

Architectural Features

• The exterior facade is an apse-plan structure carved into the rock surface.
• The church has a domed design and small apse-like protrusions on the sides.
• The main section has a cross vault and is crowned with a dome in the middle.
• This structure shows traces of being supported by four feet and forms a monastery complex together with the surrounding rock chambers.

Historical and Cultural Importance

• Ayazini Church is a part of the rich historical heritage of the region.
• The church is surrounded by rock-cut tombs, churches and rock settlements belonging to the Phrygian, Roman and Byzantine periods.
• Other historical structures such as lion-tombs, columned tombs and Ayazini Rock Houses are also located near the church.

Ayazini Rock Houses

• It is a tuff rock formation that was carved into living quarters in the Early Byzantine Period.
• These houses are designed as single-room or multi-storey structures adjacent to each other.
• Some rooms are accessed by stairs, while others are accessed by tunnel-like passages from the inside.
• The rooms have seating areas, niches for storing goods, and niches of various sizes for lighting fixtures.

Ayazini Rock Tombs

• Rock-cut tombs, used since the Phrygian period, including the town’s cemetery, reflect the historical texture of the region.
• The tomb chambers have triangular pedimented porches with Medusa heads on their facades and vaulted trough tombs.
• Some tombs are decorated with lion reliefs, while others have reliefs of the tomb owner’s husband and wife.