If you are curious to learn about the oldest Byzantine Church in İstanbul, it is right in the first courtyard of the Topkapı Palace when you enter it. The Church is dedicated to Saint Irene who was the Saint of peace so the name of the Church literally means ‘Holy Peace’.
I. Constantine depicted inside Haghia Sophia. He is seen handing over the city of Constantinople to Jesus
Coin depicting I. Constantine. The coin was released to bless the city of Constantinople which became the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire
It was built by I. Constantine in the 4th Century. The Church was reconstructed by I. Justinianus when he had commissioned the building of Saint Sophia due to its destruction during the Nika riots that burnt down former Saint Sophia along with Saint Irene Church.
Saint Irene Church interior
The Church has hosted hundreds of concerts throughout the years due to its perfect acoustics and is a museum which means that you can visit the oldest Church of the Byzantine Empire.
Lend an ear to the concert of Mor ve Ötesi in this 1500 years old Byzantine Church in İstanbul!
