Hagia Eirene | Istanbul sight seeing
Hagia Eirene (Aya Irini) : It is among the earliest Christian places of worship in Istanbul. It's situated within the outer courtyard of Topkapi Structure. Today, it's now a museum that serves mainly like a concert hall for classical music performances and musical festivals.
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Hagia Irene |
image credit: www.youropi.com
History and Location of the Hagia Irene
The interior of the Haghia Eirene in Istanbul, Turkey. The Hagia Sophia stands on what is believed to be the oldest site of Christian worship in Istanbul. Roman Emperor Constantine I ordered the church in the 4th century, making it the first church built in Constantinople. After being burned down during the Nike revolt in 532, Emperor Justinian I had the church restored in 548. By then the Patriarchate had already moved to the Hagia Sophia, which was completed in 537. Restorations were again required in the 8th century after severe damages caused by an earthquake.
After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the Topkapi Palace walls enclosed the church. The Haghia Eirene, located in the first courtyard, was not converted into a mosque but used as an armory and booty warehouse by the Ottoman soldiers.From the 1700’s onwards, the church has been a museum. It was repaired by Field Marshall Ahmed Fethi Paşa in 1846, became the first Turkish museum, and from 1908 until 1978 it was served as the Military Museum. Now the museum is under the control of the Turkish Ministry of Culture.
Credit: http://www.istanbultrails.com/2008/08/the-haghia-eirene-church-of-divine-peace/