Hagia Irene

Hagia Irene - Αγία Ειρήνη, is the second most beautiful church in all of Constantinopole after Hagia Sofia. The building is not in great shape and it is a shame it only works as a museum these days, as it can be partially restored and used as an Orthodox Church. Even so, it is a monument dedicated to peace and harmony and it sure brings such emotions to the visitor.

Hagia Irene is a small church located near Topkapi Palace.You can buy the full package entry ticket together with the palace...it is cheaper . Otherwise it can be purchased separately but at a higher price of course . The ambience in the church was extraordinary..Do visit if you have time on your side..

When entering Topkapi Palace, you can first visit also Hagia Eirini, with a guide to enter both of them faster and not wait on the lines. Ancient temple converted to Byzantyne church and last used as an armory place during the Sultan's period. Maintance of the building, as seen on the photos, is very minimum, compared to other historical monuments of Istanbul.

Aya Irini or the Church of Saint Irene inside of Topkapi Palace. This church was built in 532-537 A. D. and it is one of the oldest churches of Constantinople. Second Church Council of Constantinople or the Fifth Ecumenical Church Council took place in Saint Irene Church from May 5 through June 2, 553. The main topics of the council were Nestorian and Origenian Heresies. It was the attempt to bring Byzantine Empire to religious peace. When Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453, it was the only church not converted into a mosque because it was used as the Arsenal till 1826. Ninety percent of Ottoman arms and armor represented in the modern museum's displays have the hallmarks of Aya Irini Arsenal. First National Military Museum was organized in this church in 1726. Istanbul, 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇹🇷. February 24-October 30, 2023.

This is a special and quiet place away from the crowds. Unfortunately it is not in the best condition but you still get a sense of the history of the place - this was the site of the first council of Constantinople. If you get a ticket, get the 950 lira one that includes the harem and topkapi palace also.

This is still standing as a church "museum" a lot of history and a different eerie feeling as you step in. Felt like kind of under maintenance when we visited. A lot of history behind this one, has to be publicised more and given more visibility to the visitors, feels like it is tucked away from much attention.

A wonderful church up the hill

Pros
Next to topkapi
If you have bought the ticket to topkapi it's included otherwise you can buy a separate ticket next to the entrance.

Cons
It's completely empty
The damage that has been done inside has left no remnants of what the church used to be

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One of the oldest churches in Istanbul, it was used as an armoury for the Sultans and is now a museum
The original church was built in 360 under Constantine. It was burned down in 532 and rebuilt afterwards by Justinian. The old building holds a lot of majesty, but after the conquest, it was used as an armoury, and thus the interior has lost much of its decorations and is stripped down to bare brick and plaster. It still holds the memories of the grandeur that once was.

This church was one of the most unique one that I have visited. Really very old. With a unique energy when you enter it.
I was really amazed and was so glad that i was able to feel and see something like that.
Maybe it looks not much on a first look but believe me it's really something special.

Though the present church dates only from the 6th century, it is at least the third building to be erected on what is thought to be the oldest site of Christian worship in Istanbul. Within a decade of the Muslim conquest of the city in 1453 it had been incorporated within the Topkapı Palace complex and pressed into use as an arsenal. Today the building, which has good acoustics, is the setting for concerts during the Istanbul Music Festival. Inside are three fascinating features that have not survived in any other Byzantine church in the city. The synthronon, the five rows of built-in seats hugging the apse, were occupied by clergy officiating during services. Above this looms a simple black mosaic cross on a gold background, which dates from the iconoclastic period in the 8th century, when figurative images were forbidden. At the back of the church is a cloister-like courtyard where deceased Byzantine emperors once lay in their porphyry sarcophagi. Most have been moved to the Archaeological Museum

The only Church from the Byzantine era which still remains a Church. It wasn't converted into a mosque because it was used as a weapons storage facility. Don't need much time here but it's beautiful, dark and quiet.

A small church located near Topkapi Palace. You can buy the full package entry ticket together with the palace...it is cheaper

This tour was included in Topkapi palace tour.
I think better as last tour. first topkapi then Harrem Tour .
It's built in 4th century as orthodox church by East Rome.
Byzantine architecture was impressive .

Magnificent building, very impressive. I didn't have time to enter, but if you want you must buy a ticket (around 150 tl).

It is the only church that was not converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Empire captured Istanbul, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and eliminated Byzantium. It is estimated that it was built around the third or fourth century. It is currently under renovation (01.01.2024) and it is estimated that it will take at least 1 year for the renovation to be completed. Only 10 percent of Hagia Irene is open. Foreign tourists should enter while they are here, because I do not think there is a need for domestic tourists who will not be able to enter again, but may come again, to enter at the moment. Museum cards are not accepted here, it is a paid place and I don't think it is right to pay for three minutes in a place that is only 10 percent open.

I enjoyed this place the most out of the palace complex. It is run down and in bad shape but because it was used as storage facility, building was not altered since Byzantine times. It's not crowded and very quick to see.

This is a unique place to visit. The ticket usually comes with the Topkapi palace ticket and many people skip on this one which they shouldn’t. Hagia Irene is an ancient building with rich history. The visit won’t take so long.
It has an amazing calming atmosphere

Great church. I didn't like the fact that they used it for concerts.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
We went there on a trip in 2019. I think is the one with more "spirit" or ancient air. It looks like should have looked hundreds of years ago.