Scandal at Türkiye’s St. Nicholas Church: Museum director accused of stealing roof for private villa

The internationally renowned St. Nicholas Church, also known as the Church of Santa Claus, has become the center of a major scandal in Türkiye.

According to Hurriyet journalist Salim Uzun, Demre Museum Director Nilufer Sezgin has been swiftly removed from her position following allegations that she illegally transported parts of the church’s old roof to her private villa construction site.

St. Nicholas Church’s protective roof turned controversial

Built by the people of Myra in honor of Saint Nicholas, the historic church in Antalya’s Demre district had been shielded from sun and rain by a protective roof for three decades. However, this structure was removed in 2022 after concerns that it was creating a greenhouse effect over the ancient building. The dismantled materials were placed in storage, where they were meant to remain under museum protection.

Yet, a series of suspicious disappearances from the storage unit triggered an investigation by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Caught on camera

Security personnel at the Demre Museum noticed that stored materials, including iron, steel, and plastic components of the dismantled roof, were gradually vanishing.

Upon reviewing surveillance footage, they allegedly discovered Museum Director Nilufer Sezgin transporting the materials with the help of several workers. Further investigations revealed that these materials were being taken to a private property owned by Sezgin.

Following photographic and video documentation of the incident, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with provincial authorities, launched an immediate inquiry. The evidence, including drone footage and security recordings, led to Sezgin’s rapid suspension.

Ministry confirms investigation

Officials from Antalya’s Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism confirmed the investigation, stating: “A comprehensive inquiry is underway regarding these allegations. We have obtained various pieces of evidence, and ministry-appointed inspectors are conducting a full-scale investigation. The accused personnel have already been relieved of their duties. The case will be resolved as soon as possible.”

A troubled past: Illegal villa construction in a protected site

Sezgin’s troubles, however, do not end with the roof materials. Reports suggest that she also acquired land within a protected first-degree archaeological site, which was later reclassified to permit construction.

Shortly after the classification change, she began building a villa on the site. While this construction was already under ministry scrutiny, the emergence of the roof material scandal intensified legal actions against her.

Sezgin denies allegations

Despite the overwhelming evidence, Sezgin maintains her innocence. In a statement to Hurriyet, she argued that she was being targeted by individuals holding grudges against her. “I purchased 3.5 acres of land in Demre, 1.5 acres of which was within a protected zone. Later, construction became possible, and I started building a house. The accusations began after this. There are people within the institution who bear hostility toward me,” she claimed.

Regarding the fate of the dismantled church materials, Sezgin insisted she had acted appropriately, stating, “I consulted the National Real Estate Administration about the disposal of the materials. They informed me that the metallic components should be transferred to the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation. We filled two trucks with materials, which they collected. As for the remaining components, I sent them to the visitor reception area of Xanthos Archaeological Site.”

A case for courts

Sezgin also attempted to downplay the accusations, arguing, “Roof structures look alike. During the court proceedings, I will prove that the materials at my construction site do not belong to Saint Nicholas Church. I have worked in this profession for 33 years, serving in various cities across Türkiye. I am deeply distressed by this situation.”

With an ongoing investigation and mounting evidence, the case remains one of the most high-profile cultural heritage scandals in recent history.