Conclusion

In all, St Stephen’s Church of the Bulgars lifespan showcases a piece of Istanbul’s history that could characterise its entire history: the story of a changing identity that, at present day, seems to be fading. Its dramatic inception, with the rise of the Bulgarian Exarchate, to its unconventional formation from cast-iron frameworks shipped from Vienna, reflect Istanbul’s own colourful and varied past. The Church’s now quiet existence, a mere reminder of what once was a lively place of worship for those who yearned to break away from the all-encompassing Phanar, is ironic in that Istanbul’s identity remains unclear.

As a lieu de memoire, the site encapsulates this term in that most of its occurrences are non-events, as Nora describes. Instead, they are progressions that unfolded over a long period of time that took on much symbolic meaning, allowing for them to live on in memory.