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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Konstantin ve Helena Kilisesi |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
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Type:
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Church |
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Plan Type:
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Basilica |
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Year of Costruction:
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5th - 6th c. |
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Phase:
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Early |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation Restoration |
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Altitude:
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Region:
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Central Anatolia |
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Province:
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Nigde |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Aktas |
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Antique Name:
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Andavalis / Addaualis / Ambavalis |
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| Location: It is located in Yeniköy / Yeni Mahalle, near Aktas Village (formerly known as Andaval), 8 km northeast of Nigde. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| Research and Excavation: The excavation and restoration studies were carried out under the leadership of Sacit Pekak. |
| Description: Building Phases: The church was built as a basilica with three naves in Hellenistic type in the first phase. It is believed that all of three naves were covered by a single vault by bonding pillars in front of the row of the columns and erecting stiffening arches between them in the second phase. It is believed that the narthex of the church was added during the repairment done later [Pekak 1998a:575-576; Restle 1979:40-41; Rott 1908:102-108; Ötüken 1987b:125-126]. Architectural Features: The church is a basilica with three naves and it is in squarish rectangular plan. The apse is in the form of horseshoe on the inside and five-sided on the outside. It is discovered that there are two or three entrances in the center of the west façade. The structure was built with stone known as Aktas Stone that are available in the region. Regular cut-stones were used on the façades [Pekak 1998a:572-574]. Decorative Features: There are three cross motifs surrounded by plant motifs on the lintel of the west façade of the church. The arch of the windows on the west façade and the apse are decorated with tongue motifs. It is discovered that paint was used in the decoration on the arch of the windows on the apse. The capitals of the pillars in truncated pyramid shape are decorated with acanthus leaves [Pekak 1998a:575]. It is believed that the inner walls of the church were completely covered with frescoes. There should be standing angel figures beside Jesus sitting on the throne depiction in the center of the apse of the half dome. It is known that two bands in lower section were decorated with apostles (the upper band) and bishop figures including Epiphanios and Gregory (the bottom band). The frescoes that are preserved up to date are located on the north wall of the central nave. The scenes depicted from the east to the west as follows: The Nativity of Jesus, the Raising of Lazarus and the Entry to Jerusalem. There are depictions of Immanuel Jesus, cross in medallion and two saints, St. Demetrios, Prokopios, Eustatios, Merkurios, Neophtos, two soldier saints, Archangel Michael and Gabriel and saint figures as well. Five figures were also discovered in the upper section of the north wall. To the east, there is another figure who kneels down and opens his hands. Two each figures were discovered on both sides of the cross motifs in the center of the internal faces of the arches between the pillars separating the central nave and the north nave from each other. There are three frescoes on the west wall of the naos. The fresco in the upper section between two windows depicts a crowned figure giving blessing sign. There are two separate figures on the fresco under it. There is a depiction of Virgin Mary and Christ Child on the lowermost fresco. The figures of Helen and Constantine holding crosses are depicted next to it (south). There is a depiction of Archangel Michael on the other side (north) [Pekak 1998a:577-578; Pekak 1999:506]. |
| Finds: A great number of graves were found in the church. Also the wares found during excavations and architectural plastics recovered during the cleaning studies were introduced by S. Pekak in the Meetings on the Results of the Excavations. |
| Interpretation: The church was compared with the structures in Cappadocia region and Binbir Kilise by S. Pekak [Pekak 1998a:576]. He stated that these church share similar plans and the similar churches built around 500 underwent repair around 900, after Arab invasions. Rott dated the first building phase to the 5th century and the second phase to the repairment period after Arab invasions [Rott 1908:107-108]. He dated the frescoes, on the other hand, the period after iconoclasm. Thierry and Thierry stated that the vault was built in the 10th century [Thierry-Thierry 1963:29-30]. Y. Ötüken dated the frescoes to the 11th century and later [Ötüken 1987b:139]. However, Restle stated that the frescoes belong to the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century [Restle 1979:42]. |
| Destruction: |
