Taksiyarhis Memorial Museumvisitor guide.

Taksiyarhis Church is the first church of Ayvalık, believed to span three distinct architectural periods. It was initially constructed as a small church in the 15th century. A fresco depicting Paul and Peter offering the church building to God above the bema, alongside a foundation inscription dated 1753 above the southern courtyard entrance, provide evidence regarding the second-period, two-story, three-domed basilican edifice. An inscription dated 1844 above the entrance reveals that the third-period basilican structure was constructed with barrel vaults and wholly wooden load-bearing upper frameworks. Three main entrance portals lead into the three-aisled church from the western narthex. In the nave stands an ambo adorned with gypsum reliefs of lions, accessed via a spiral staircase. Beyond the iconostasis—embellished with marble reliefs, gilt decorations, and marble icons narrating the life of Christ—lies the apse. The 16-windowed, wooden, U-shaped upper gallery on the second floor served as the gynaeceum (women's section). Repaired following repeated earthquakes across different periods, changes in decorative murals and wall paintings demonstrate these repair campaigns. Used as a state monopoly (Tekel) tobacco storehouse from 1927 before being abandoned, the building was restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2012 and opened to service in 2013 as the 'Taksiyarhis Monument Museum' affiliated with Balıkesir Kuva-yi Milliye Museum. DOWNLOAD MUSEUM BROCHURE NEARBY MUSEUMS KUVA-Yİ MİLLİYE MUSEUM BANDIRMA MUSEUM