Historic Istanbul church reopens

ISTANBUL — Turkey’s president and the Bulgarian prime minister have unveiled the historic Iron Church in Istanbul after a sevenyear restoration project.

In the opening ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the 120-year-old Sveti Stefan Church remains the “single example” of a church built on an iron skeleton.

The cross-shaped Bulgarian church was built on the banks of Istanbul’s Golden Horn in 1898 with 500 tons of prefabricated iron components shipped from Austria.

Its restoration since 2011 cost an estimated $3.5 million.

Erdogan said the church contributes to the “beauty and wealth of Istanbul” and is the latest example of Turkey’s efforts to restore synagogues, chapels and churches.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said his country would work to “normalize and improve” Turkey-European Union relations as his country assumes the EU’s presidency.

TOP: The interior view of historical Bulgarian Sveti Stefan Church, or “Iron Church,” is seen in Istanbul. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov attended the reopening ceremony.

Photos by Emrah Gurel, The Associated Press ABOVE: The church reopens after seven years of restoration.