Located on Buca Erdem Street, the Italian Capuchin Catholic Priest School was built between 1881 and 1883. Buca Priest School continued to function until 1935, the school and the land were transferred for the public. Today, the public land and the Priest School are used as a girls’ dormitory.
Capuchins, first created by a Catholic group named Matteo da Bascio in the Marche region of Italy in 1520, reached Buca centuries later and continued its activities in the Buca Priest School until 1935.
Capuchins are entirely different from other priests in the Catholic faith with their vital conditions and practices. The Capuchin Matteo de Bascio left the monastery in 1520 and performed his worship with primitive life. Also, he aimed at escaping from the beneficial conveniences of his time, seeking forgiveness for his sins.
Capuchins, who started with the monk Matteo, took on missionary duties in many countries of the world to devote themselves to their religion, introduce it and teach it to other people. Therefore, they established priest schools in many places in the world, as in Buca, for the education of priests.
One of the main reasons the Italian Capuchins opened a priest school in Buca is the Levantine families living in Buca. The second is the communities living in close relationships and solidarity. At the same time, Buca Italian Capuchin School, which served as a monastery for priests who wanted to retreat, was one of the most significant schools for priests to go to for education. A significant number of priests were studying at the Buca Priest School.
It managed to become a landmark in Buca until 1935, when wealthy Levantine families with high walls and large gardens had their homes and Buca Protestant Baptist Church and Buca Priest School continued their activities.
Capuchins, who led their lives by avoiding only one outfit and worldly pleasures, have been called Cappuccinos or Capuchins for years, be compared to cappuccino or capuchin monkeys, which is compared to cappuccino coffee because the clothes they wear are very dark brown.
The first entry of Capuchins to Turkey started with a girl orphanage and Buca Priest School in Istanbul. However, the educational activities ended in Turkey in 1935 with the transfer of the Buca Capuchin Catholic Priest School land to the public. Historically speaking, the Buca Priest School was used as a military barracks between 1935 and 1937. Then, it served as a dormitory for girls after being used as a private high school in 1950 till this day.
Buca Priest School Visiting Hours 🕖
Today, Buca Priest School, which serves as a girls’ orphanage, is closed to the public.
