Hagia Irene
Aya İrini
A Byzantine church inside the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace. It was never converted into a mosque, and it preserves its original nave and apse cross mosaic.
Hagia Irene is located in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace. The existing structure was rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the few Byzantine churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque, though during the Ottoman period it was used as an arsenal. The interior is spacious and simple. The semi-dome of the apse keeps a black cross mosaic from the Iconoclasm period, and the acoustics are excellent, so concerts are often held here. A separate ticket costs about 15 euros, or you can use the museum pass. It can be visited on the same day as Topkapı Palace and the Archaeology Museums. Getting there: T1 tram to Sultanahmet or Gülhane station.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–19:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums
- Gülhane Park
- Basilica Cistern
- Topkapi Palace
- Hippodrome of Constantinople
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts