Lifelong Learning Programme

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Notre Dame de Lourdes Church

Notre Dame de Lourdes Church

Göztepe Mahallesi, 81. Sk., 35290 Konak/İzmir

RELIGIONS Catholic, Protestant

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
The church is dedicated to appearance of Mary in Lourdes (France). The construction of the church started in 1898 and the first mass was carried out on 6 June 1902. The most interesting part of the church is the apse, which was built of pumice. It resemble the entrance of a cave. In this case, it symbolizes the cave in Lourdes (France) where Mary was said to appear to a 14 years old girl. The seating capacity of the church is 75.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
Originally built as a catholic church, it is now used by a very small community of Lutherans in Izmir. During the Ottoman era, Smyrna hosted representatives of all different sects of Christianit from different countries among them there were Dutch, German, Scottish and American churches.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
The church is located in Göztepe district and even the street is called Kilise Sokak (Church Street). The community of the church is about 20. The only inter-religious relevance of this place is the name that it recalls its past and makes the residents around aware of the existence of another religion just next to them. The only exciting fact that a small Lutheran community uses this originally catholic church.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
The multi-ethnic and multi-religion society of Izmir enjoyed decades of prosperity in the 19th century until the break of WWI. Even the city had a mixed population; demographic structure was well defined by districts. The business was mostly in the hands of Levantines and their district, where the Church of Santa Maria is. With the population exchange in 1922 between Greece and Turkey, the demographic structure of the city drastically changed becoming overwhelmingly Muslim. Other minorities In due course of time the numbers of Christians and Jews living in the city decreased.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
- Direct visit
A direct visit, if possible, would be the best way for students to experience the atmosphere of the place.
- Virtual visit (specify how)
A PPT presentation prepared by the tutor enriched with visuals.
- Classroom activity (pre- and post- visit)
Pre-visit activity: A research by students on history of Izmir during Ottoman era with special attention to multi-ethnic and multi-religion society.
Compare the bigger harbor town (or commercial hub) and demographics of its population.
Post-visit:
- Discussion if trade had a role in multi-ethnic and multi-religion society.
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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.