Surp Haç (Cross) Church

Surp Haç Church in Üsküdar district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul is one of the oldest Christian religious buildings in the region. It was built towards the end of the 17th century on a large piece of land. The notable feature of the church is that it has three doors opening to three different streets.

Surp Haç Church was built by a priest named Baladi Abraham. It is mentioned in records that it underwent extensive repairs twice in the 18th century. After all, it was built of cut stone in 1880 and takes the present form as extending to a large area.

The interior is quite simple. Its elegant chandeliers and historic windows stand out. Several paintings and a small number of figures hanging on the walls are other aspects that stand out. In the courtyard of the church, which is covered with a dome, there are cisterns, two small rooms, one of which belongs to the doorman, and a cemetery.

It is also known as the ’Armenian Church of Selamsız'. It is open to the worship of Armenian citizens.

It is recorded that it has undergone repairs from time to time. Near the Surp Haç Church, there is an Armenian high school with a very old fountain dating back to 1764, some of the ruins of which can be seen under a residence today.