Panayia İsodion Church, Byzantine Orthodox church in Beyoğlu, Turkey
Panayia İsodion is a Byzantine church in Beyoğlu featuring stone domes, decorated arches, and fragments of original mosaics that survive in parts of the structure. The building displays characteristic Byzantine construction techniques and spatial organization from its founding period.
The church originated in the Byzantine period and remained in Christian use after 1453, when most other churches in Constantinople were converted to mosques. This continuity through the Ottoman period makes it a rare example of religious persistence in the city.
The church displays religious images that reflect how the Greek Orthodox community maintained its faith and traditions through centuries of change in Istanbul. Walking through the interior, you sense the continuity of spiritual practice that has shaped this place.
The church is located near public transportation in central Beyoğlu and can be easily combined with visits to other historical buildings nearby. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and maintain quiet behavior since it remains an active place of worship.
Sections of the original stone walls retain intact details of Byzantine craftsmanship, offering direct insight into construction methods used over a millennium ago. These preserved passages allow you to observe how ancient builders worked and assembled the structure.
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