Şebinkarahisar Asarcık Church, located in Giresun, Türkiye, is a three-nave basilica built in 1890 and free to visit, featuring carved wooden doors and faint interior frescoes within its village setting.
Asarcık Church stands in Asarcık Village, 18 kilometers outside Şebinkarahisar. The Greek inscription on the entrance gate reads 1890 and "The call of the Virgin Mary, year 1890." The building was registered and protected in 1986. Today, it stands in the middle of the village, without a bell tower, with its three-nave basilica plan.
There is a narthex on the west side and a triple apse on the east. Eight panels are carved on the wooden door leaves, with X-shaped cross motifs on the upper ones. Only the construction year can be read from the inscription on the window lintel; the rest has faded over time. Frescoes remain partially in the interior, but what scenes they depict is now unclear.
This is not a crowded museum. It is a structure remaining within the village fabric, in a neighborhood where daily life continues. Visitors to Şebinkarahisar usually tour the castle and Fatih Mosque and return; stopping by Asarcık is for more curious travelers.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
The village road can be challenging in winter, so spring to summer is the most suitable period. Summer mornings are more comfortable for both the road and the church surroundings. In winter, there is a risk of snow and ice due to Şebinkarahisar's high altitude. It is advisable to inquire about road conditions before going.
How to Get There
Asarcık Village is 18 kilometers from Şebinkarahisar district center and 110 kilometers from Giresun city center. Access is possible with vehicles departing from Şebinkarahisar center, but there is no regular public transport line. A private car or taxi is the most practical option. Those coming from Giresun first go to Şebinkarahisar, then turn onto the village road.
How Much Time to Allocate
45 minutes is sufficient for the church itself. However, instead of planning a trip just for the church, it makes more sense to combine it with Şebinkarahisar Castle, Fatih Mosque, and Behramşah Mosque for a half-day tour. They are all close to each other.
Suggested Route
Starting from Şebinkarahisar center, visiting the castle first, then Fatih Mosque, and moving on to Asarcık in the afternoon works well. Since the church is within the village, you also get the chance to see the village texture, gardens, and old stone houses along the way.
Things to Pay Attention To
The structure is within a village neighborhood, and its door may not always be open. If you cannot enter, examining the architecture and door panels from the outside provides enough information. Since the frescoes have deteriorated over time, the light inside is dim; a phone flashlight might be useful.
Photo Spots
The eight panels on the entrance door and the X-shaped cross motifs above are the most photographed details. Shots taken from the western facade of the building clearly show the narthex section and its general silhouette. The afternoon light brings out the stone texture on the facade better.
The Story of the Church
Built in 1890, the structure is part of the religious heritage left behind by the Greek population in the region. The phrase "The call of the Virgin Mary" in the inscription indicates the church's dedication. The registration decision in 1986 prevented the building from being destroyed. Its continued existence today is due to this protection process.
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