Monastery of Stoudios

The Monastery of Stoudios is a Byzantine church ruin in Istanbul built as a three-aisled basilica, with green marble columns and acanthus capitals that show the original craftsmanship. The western entrance leads through a three-part narthex into the main worship space.

The monastery was established in 462 and became known as a place where deposed emperors were confined away from politics. It maintained independence from both imperial and patriarchal authority throughout its history.

The monastery served as a major center for manuscript production, where monks created illuminated texts that are now held in museums across Europe and beyond. This scribal tradition made the place a keeper of knowledge and religious learning throughout the medieval period.

The ruins are accessible to visitors who can walk through the remaining sections of the basilica structure. Wear comfortable shoes, as the ground is uneven and the site has minimal facilities on-site.

The floor features opus sectile pavement with animal and mythological scenes from the 11th century, showing elaborate decorative techniques. This type of floor decoration is rare to find intact in Istanbul and reveals the wealth of the community that lived there.