[1]View from the hill to the recently excavated monastery remains
The area north of Tophane houses a conglomeration of ruins of mixed Byzantine and Ottoman origins. One of the more interesting buildings here is a hamam (bathhouse) which appears to have been founded in Byzantine times and renovated and added to ever afterward. Between this and the coast road is the remains of a set of Ottoman artillery barracks (41.028059, 28.983344). A recent project to rebuild the barracks unearthed some rich Byzantine findings including a necropolis that appears to be linked to a monastery. This may be from the 4th-5th centuries. There is something of a controversy between those who want to examine the monastery remains and those who want to stop the archaeological work to rebuild the military edifice. We await further news.
[2]Part of the bath complex looming over the monastery remains
There appears to be a plan to transform the place into an Arkeo-park under the auspices of Mimar Sinan University, similar to Koc University’s effort at Kucukyali.
[3]The publicity photo that accompanies articles about the monastery (Aktuel Arkeoloji)
[4]Upper bath building in May 2014
[5]Ottoman additions to hamam
Here’s the situation in July 2019.
[6]Byzantine walls are visible above the fence
There does not appear to have been any progress for at least a year.
Ince, E. (2016) O Lahitten Her Dag Basinda Var. Aktuel Arkeoloji (originally from Radikal) Available online at: http://www.aktuelarkeoloji.com.tr/o-lahitten-her-dag-basinda-var retrieved 14th Sept 2017
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