Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox Church and Cemetery

The cemetery was relocated from Taksim to its current location in 1865. There are mausoleums that are regarded as works of art in the cemetery. Some of the statues in the cemetery, resembling ancient Greek statues, capture attention. The mausoleums were designed by some well-known artists, including French sculptor Antonin Mercié, whose works are displayed in the Louvre Museum, Lazaros Sochos who carved the Kolokotronis statue, Lazaros and Theodoros Liritis brothers, who made the Atatürk statue at Tekirdağ Square.

The church, situated in the cemetery, was designed by famous architect Alexandre Vallaury, who also designed some well-known buildings such as the İstanbul Archeology Museum, Hotel Pera Palas, Osmanlı Bank’s head office, Büyükada Orphanage, and Sanayi-i Nefise School. Dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jesus, that is the Metamorphosis, the church, built in 1889, has a cruciform design featuring a central dome and an eclectic style. The exterior mosaics were made by famous painter Pretextat Lecomte.