Restoration of Ayvalık Hagiasma
Prof. Dr. Özyiğit was born in 1949 in Ayvalık, studied in Ankara University and obtained his Doctorate degree in Classical Archaeology Department. He was a tutor of Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal. He served long time as professor of classical archaeology within Ege University of Izmir and retired in year 2016. Since 1970 he took part in many archaeological excavations, namely Smyrna, Errythrai, Gryneinon, Pergamon. Since 1989, he is in charge of major project in Foça (Phokaia). He has published several articles on this project. He has given numerous conferences all over the world . Restoration Project Lead company - Suzan Özyiğit Payanda Construction was established by Archaeologist/Architect Suzan Özyiğit in year 2010 in Ayvalik in order to help renovation of historical buildings. Having completed several projects successfully, Payanda has undertaken the restoration project of Panagia Phaneromeni Ayazma in 2016. We are proud to name some of the members of the Payanda team. Dr. Tuğcan Güler design consultant, Mr. Uygur Akın Archaeologist and Restaurateur, Ms. Naile Cimit ceramic artist and creator, İbrahim Çelik stone master, Salih Saruhan wall master.
Panagia Phaneromeni Ayazma situated at Kemalpaşa district of Ayvalik is probably one of the most important and famous religious building of the city. It was constructed with local stones from Sarimsak Area in a Neoclassical style during last century . The building was used for a while as a olive oil factory and left abandoned afterwards. The restoration project which was initiated by our municipality has led to an important addition to Ayvaliks historical landmarks and to our national cultural heritage.
It was everyone’s duty to restore this exceptional building for Ayvalik. It was most important element to restore such great buildings and key for our temporary listing in Unesco World Heritage Cities. Historical Ayazma will again become a public space and serve as an important gathering space for visitors.. Holy water heritage will be exploited and explained and wellness science will be analysed.
I personally thank to archaeologist Prof Dr Omer Ozyigit and his wife archaeologist Suzan Ozyigit on behalf of Ayvalik population for their hard work towards restoration works which were finally approved in year 2102 and their continuous support.
Rahmi Gencer
Past Mayor of Ayvalik 2014-2019
He was born in 1949 in Ayvalik, studied in Ankara University all the way to Doctorate within Classical Archaeology department. He was a tutor of Ord Professor Dr Ekrem Akurgal.
He served long time as professor of classical archaeology within Ege University of Izmir and retired in year 2016. Since 1970 he took part in many archaeological excavations namely Smyrna,Errythrai, Gryneinon,Pergamom. Since 1989 he is charge of major project in Foca (Phokaia) . He has published several articles on this project.
He has given numerous conferences all over the world .
Payanda Construction was established by Archaeologist/Architect Suzan Özyiğit in year 2010 in
Ayvalik in order to help renovation of historical buildings.. Having completed several projects
successfully Payanda has undertaken in year 2016 the Restoration project at the Church of Panagia
Phaneromeni Ayazma in Ayvalik. We are proud to name some of the members of the Payanda team.
Dr Tuğcan Güler design consultant, Mr Uygur Akın Archaeologist and Restaurateur, Ms Naile Cimit
ceramic artist and creator, İbrahim Çelik stone master, Salih Saruhan wall master.
Ayvalık Exhibition of Anatolian Civilizations
The Anatolian Civilizations Exhibition in Ayvalık, a joint project by the Ayvalık Ayazması Association and the Ayvalık Municipality, features 619 unique artifacts from the collection of Ayşe Mina Esen, reflecting the traces of Anatolian civilizations from the Chalcolithic Age to the Byzantine Period. Curated by Necdet Bezmen, the exhibition opened to visitors in June 2022 at the Kırlangıç Life Center.
