Hagia Irene, Byzantine church in Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey.
The church features a central nave with two side aisles divided by columns, topped by a dome measuring 15 meters in diameter.
Constantine I commissioned the initial church structure in the 4th century, which later became the seat of Constantinople's Patriarchate until Hagia Sophia's completion.
The structure maintains its original Christian configuration, displaying inscriptions from psalms and religious texts across its ancient stone walls.
The church opens daily except Tuesdays and functions as both a museum and concert hall during the Istanbul International Music Festival.
This Eastern Orthodox church stands as the sole Byzantine religious structure in Istanbul that remained unconverted to a mosque following Ottoman conquest.
Location: Eminönü
Location: Istanbul
Inception: 6 century
Founders: Constantine the Great
Architectural style: Byzantine architecture
Website: https://muze.gen.tr
GPS coordinates: 41.00972,28.98111
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:02
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