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Green Left Party Mardin MP George Aslan submitted a parliamentary question (PQ) related to the collapse of the dome of the Germuş (St. Asdvadzadzin) Church in Urfa, requesting the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy to respond.
Aslan informs that the Germuş Church in Haliliye, Urfa was first damaged by treasure hunters, and also used as a stable once; and that recently it was reported in the press that its dome collapsed.
"Many calls were made to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the church to be taken under protection and to be restored but no action was taken," Aslan stated.
"Although the Germuş Church and its surroundings have been announced as a "Tourism development center" in a decision by the Council of Ministers in 2011, and included in the Financial Support Program by the Karacadağ Development Agency, no work has been carried out in the church or its surroundings so far," he added.
The MP stated in his PQ that hundreds of abandoned churches and monasteries in Turkey risk collapse because of neglect and attacks of treasure hunters, like the Germuş Church.
About the Germuş Church
Germuş Church is located in the Germuş (Dağeteği) village which lies on the skirts of the Germuş Mountains 10 kilometers from the city center in Urfa. It is estimated that the church was built in the 19th century. The two-story church which is made of stones was restored in1881 by Hagop Ardvisian. (Source and photograph: https://www.sanliurfa.bel.tr/)
(AÖ/PE)
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