Birgi

Birgi is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Ödemiş, İzmir Province, Turkey.^[1] Its population is 1,832 (2022).^[2] Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).^[3][4] Its current name is a corruption of its medieval Greek name, Pyrgion (Greek: Πυργίον, meaning "Little Tower").

History

In antiquity, the town was known as Dios Hieron (Greek: Διός Ἱερόν, 'Sanctuary of Zeus'),^[5] one of two cities thus named.^[6] The city became part of the Roman Republic and the Roman province of Asia with the annexation of the Kingdom of Pergamon.

It was renamed to Christoupolis (Greek: Χριστούπολις) in the 7th century and was known as Pyrgion (Greek: Πυργίον) from the 12th century on.^[5] Pyrgion fell to the Turks in 1307, and became the capital of the beylik of Aydin.^[5]

Ibn Battuta visited the city and attended a lecture by the eminent professor Muhyi al-Din.^[7]

It was subsequently incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1390.^[8] Birgi is well known for its classic Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by ÇEKÜL(Protection and Promotion of the Environment and Cultural Heritage) since 1994.

In 2021, archaeologists unearthed a Byzantine fort.^[9]

Bishopric

The Roman Era city had an ancient Christian Bishopric attested as an episcopal see from at least 451, It was a suffragan of Ephesus, which it remained under until the late 12th century when it became a separate metropolis.^[5]

There are four known bishops of this diocese from antiquity.

• Stephen took part in the Council of Ephesus of 431
• Eustorgios was not present at the Council of Chalcedon (451) and his metropolitan, Stephen of Ephesus, signed on his behalf
• Zoetus was among the fathers of the Council of Constantinople of 680 and the Council in Trullo of 692
• Stephen of Pyrgion participated at the two Councils of Constantinople in 869–870 and 879–880 who dealt with the issue of Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople

Today Dioshieron survives as titular bishopric in the Roman Catholic Church,^[10] so far the see has never been assigned.^[11][12]

Notable historic structures

• Çakırağa Mansion — built in 18th-century Ottoman style by the wealthy Çakırağa family.
• Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque — commissioned in 1313 by Mehmet Bey, the founder of the Aydinids.
• Aydınoğlu Baths (14th century)
• Tomb of Birgivi Mehmet Efendi (16th century)
• Birgivi Mehmet Efendi Madrasa (16th century)
• Sultanşah Mausoleum
• Fortress Madrasa, where Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror (March 30, 1432 – May 3, 1481) was educated.
• Sandıkoğlu Mansion (19th century)
• Karaoğlu Mosque (18th century)
• Birgi city walls
• Iron Magazine (16th century)

References