Saint George Greek Orthodox Church restoration begins in İskenderun

Restoration work has commenced on the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in İskenderun, Hatay, which sustained heavy damage during the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes on February 6. The historic structure, originally established in 1585, is undergoing technical strengthening and aesthetic repairs to return it to its original form.

The project is being funded through a combination of the church's own budget and funds provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ankara Office. The restoration is being carried out with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Foundations.

Engineers are implementing structural reinforcements, including widening the base section for foundation strengthening and using hydraulic lime injection to fill gaps in masonry walls. A significant discovery during the process was an original photograph from the 1900s, which serves as direct evidence that the church originally featured a dome. This document will guide the reconstruction of the dome to ensure historical accuracy. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the goal of hosting New Year's services in the restored building.