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Hagia Eirene

Home → Istanbul, Turkey → Hagia Eirene

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Rating: 5.0/5 (6501 votes cast)

Hagia Eirene (Basilica of Holy Peace, Turkish: Aya Irini Kilisesi) stands on what is thought to be the oldest place of Christian worship in Istanbul. Today it is located within the Topkapi Palace complex, close to the Hagia Sophia.

History

The first church to stand on this site was built by Constantine along with Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Apostles. The present church dates from the 6th century.

Within a decade of the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1453, Hagia Eirene had been incorporated into the Topkapi Palace and used (perhaps ironically, given the name) as an arsenal. It was one of very few former Byzantine churches not to have been turned into a mosque.

Today Hagia Eirene, which has excellent acoustics, hosts concerts during the Istanbul Music Festival.

What to See

Hagia Eirene is well worth seeing, as it preserves several interesting features not seen in Istanbul’s other Byzantine churches. In the apse are the synthronon, five rows of built-in, theater-style seats for use by clergy during services.

In the apse itself is a large mosaic of a simple black cross on a gold background, dating from the iconoclastic period in the 8th century, when all figurative images were forbidden.

In the back of the church is a cloister-like courtyard where deceased Byzantine emperors once lay in their porphyry sarcophagi. Most of these have been moved to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.


Istanbul Travel Guide

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  • Underground Cistern, Istanbul
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  • Church of the Holy Apostles
  • Eyup Mosque and Mausoleum
  • Beyazit Camii
  • Fatih Camii
  • Fethiye Camii “Pammakaristos Church”
  • Hagia Eirene
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Rating: +6880 (from 6880 votes)
Hagia Eirene, 100% based on 6880 ratings
7 Reviews
  1. C.Chamberlain
    9:22 pm on May 9, 2009

    This is an unconverted Byzantine church dating from the 5th century. it has finally been opened as a museum and the exhibits are interesting but the really special way to appreciate the church is during one of the many concerts here, especially during the music festival in June. World class musicians give concerts here during the festival and while the tickets are not cheap the atmosphere is unique. The acoustics are great and the atmosphere of listening to a concert in a church older than Aya Sophia is not to be missed.

    Reply
  2. Berry.M
    8:12 pm on September 9, 2009

    When everyone is so wrapped up and excited to see Topkapi palace I was more excited to see Hagia Irene. It is a former Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace. It is the first church built in Constantinople. Roman emperor Constantine I commissioned the first Hagia Irene church in the 4th century. It was turned into an armoury during the Ottoman era and now it is used as a Concert hall!!

    Pity something this sacred would be having singing and dancing show in one of the oldest churches in the worl.When I was visiting in Mar-2009, the churche was open for public. But I was able to have some pictures around it and one photo from wkipidia from the inside. It was said that It is open as a museum every day except Monday but requires special permission for admission.

    Reply
  3. Dennis_2010_Charlotte
    8:39 pm on October 21, 2010

    Poor Hagia Irene never gets the attention accorded to her sister church, Hagia Sophia. It was built during the Byzantine Golden Age so it’s just as old. The Turkish government doesn’t help matters by closing the church to the public. If you find yourself walking through the main courtyard of Topkapi Palace, spare a moment to check out Hagia Irene.

    Reply
  4. Braun
    6:18 pm on April 12, 2011

    as beautiful as the hagia sofia

    Reply
  5. d_Ford
    9:28 pm on August 9, 2012

    We just looked this Bizantium church with long history from outsıde adn were so fascinated! Usually anyone can’t enter this charming church, but we heard that conserts or some other events are sometimes held inside.

    Reply
  6. Dharamvir Bharati
    7:10 pm on March 21, 2013

    Hagia Irene or Hagia Eirene (Ἁγία Εἰρήνη, “Holy Peace,” Aya İrini), sometimes known also as Saint Irene, is a former Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. It is open as a museum every day except Monday but requires special permission for admission.

    Reply
  7. RITA.M
    5:32 pm on May 9, 2013

    Fascinating museum ex church between ayasofia ad imperial palace of topkapi in the golden horn of istanbul.

    Reply
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ephesus tours

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