Church of St. Mary of the Spring

The Church of St. Mary of the Spring is a rectangular basilica in Zeytinburnu built over an underground water source. Its interior features a crypt with a staircase leading to the spring, and the walls are decorated with frescoes and religious paintings.

Byzantine Emperor Leo I built the original shrine around 457 CE over the sacred spring after encountering a blind man seeking water. The church underwent major restoration, particularly during a significant reconstruction in 1835 that shaped its current form.

The church draws visitors who come to drink or collect water from the underground spring, believing in its healing properties. The site blends religious worship with popular faith in the spring's protective and curative powers that have attracted people for many centuries.

The shrine is easily reached on foot near Silivri Gate in the historic walls. The complex has surrounding walls and cemetery areas, so visitors should watch their footing and be respectful of the grounds.

Above the main entrance sit two stone roosters locked in combat, commemorating a legendary fight between Greek and Armenian communities during the rebuilding period. This unusual carving tells a story of neighborhood rivalry that played out in the restoration of this sacred place.