The Balatlar Church Complex The Balatlar Church in Sinop, also referred to as the Sinope Koimesis Church, is a site of great historical and religious importance, with a history that spans from Roman times to the Ottoman period. Over the centuries, this location has served as a place of worship for various empires that once ruled the area. The ancient architectural style of Sinop can be quite difficult to grasp at first glance. However, the Balatlar Church, or the Mitridates Palace, a renowned structure, stands as a symbol of the rich history of this ancient city. The Balatlar Church was initially constructed as a cross-shaped church with a roof, though much of the structure has since collapsed. Today, only the 5 to 6-meter-high walls remain standing. These walls consist of interconnected triangular-shaped chambers, leaving behind traces of the original design. Additionally, there is a cistern composed of four sections with a triangular base and a vaulted roof, all connected to one another. The Balatlar Church is encircled by chambers with towering walls. Although the exact purpose of the church remains uncertain, several theories exist about its function. One theory suggests that the name comes from the word 'Palatium', meaning palace, which would tie it to the periods of ancient Rome and early Byzantium. The chambers within the structure are believed to have been used as granaries or possibly part of a Roman-era gymnasium or bath complex in Sinop, due to the nearby cisterns that match the layout of a large bathhouse. It is also speculated that the church was later transformed into a monastery. These discoveries support the theory that such buildings existed in Sinop. Geophysical techniques were employed to pinpoint the excavation site of the famous architectural remains from Roman times in Sinop, particularly a pool complex, which includes the Pistina (swimming pool), Apoditerium (changing room area), Caldarium (hottest bath section), Hypocaust (heating system area), and Tepidarium (lukewarm bath section). To further investigate the site, a proton magnetometer was utilized to measure the vertical gradient of the area, and maps generated from this revealed magnetic anomalies corresponding to underground heating installations linked to Roman baths. Additionally, a 500 MHz GPR system was employed during the survey of the Balatlar Church, which led to the discovery of significant new graves at various depths across the church grounds. If you have any questions or need more information about the Balatlar Church Complex, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.