Hagia Irene Istanbul taken from the front in spring with perfectly blue skies behind

Hagia Irene Museum | Topkapi Palace

We came across the Hagia Irene our our first ever visit to Istanbul back in 1994 but failed to realise the significance of this historical site until years later.

The Hagia is located in the heart of Istanbul within the confines of the Topkapi Palace Complex and is a breathtaking historical monument that is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in religious history, theology and ancient architecture.

As one of the oldest churches in Istanbul, Hagia Irene is steeped in centuries of history and maintains massive Byzantine cultural significance.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Hagia Irene Church, its history, and what makes it such a unique and captivating place to visit.

Let’s go!

The Turbulent History of Hagia Irene

Over the centuries, Hagia Irene has been the site of several important historical events.

Circa 360AD – Hagia Irene is thought to be the first church ever built in Istanbul with archaeological records suggesting a church was actually first recorded as being consecrated here in the year 360 AD. Apparently, the church was built over an even older temple dedicated to the Roman Goddess Aphrodite.

Construction of the Hagia Eirene (Medieval Greek) was believed to have begun during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The Hagia was then used as a church for over a thousand years.

532AD – The church was nearly destroyed (along with the Hagia Sophia) by fire during the infamous riots of the Nika Revolt. Both churches was quickly restored and became the most important churches in the Byzantine Empire.

1453 – When the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the building fell into disrepair and was used as an armoury and ammunition.

1908 – Hagia Irene becomes a Military Museum of sorts.

1940 – The Turkish government declared Hagia Irene a protected monument, and it was later opened to the public as a museum.

During its long history, Hagia Irene has undergone several renovations, destructions, and restorations.

Interestingly the Hagia Irene is also reported often as the only Byzantine church that survived the Ottoman period without being turned into a mosque. Or was it?

Whilst it might seem totally unique in that sense at least, there are a few historians that believe it was actually a Mosque at one point (around 1510) but those claims appear to have little substance.

One thing that is undeniably true is that the cross at the top of Hagia Irene’s dome has certainly been replaced with the crescent moon – the enduring symbol of Islam.

Today the church serves as a theological and architectural museum and is visited by half a million people each year showcasing its rich history and stunning architectural features.

Hagia Iren Istanbul featuring the spacious interior featuring the famous cross painting on the dome

St Irene | Story or Legend?

Legend: It is said a woman by the name of Penelope, who was a devout and passionate Christian, attempted to introduce the Roman people to Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

However, the Romans (still pagan at that time), tormented the woman in order to force her to submit to Paganism. The legend says that they tossed her into a well full of snakes, accused her of witchcraft because the snakes did not kill her, had her dragged by horses and more.

After witnessing that she was still alive and consistent with her religion after all the tortures, they declared her to be a saint and committed themselves to Christianity.

Emperor Constantine the Great, as a result, named her St. Hagia Irene, which means “holy place or “sacred place” (in old Greek Hagia Eirene) and built a church in her honor.

Why she was not named as St Penelope we do not know.

Story: Others will tell you that the building – much like the Hagia Sophia – was built in dedication to an ideal, and not a person at all. According to the Greek litteraries of the time the word Eirene – was the personification of peace.

Did You Know?

The word HAGIA is a Byzantine word from ancient Greek from the word hagios which was used to describe a “holy” or “sacred” place of consecration. In most cases, a church.

What’s Special About Hagia Irene? What To See Inside!

The museum boasts a unique blend of Byzantine and classical architectural styles, making it one of the most distinctive (ex) churches in Istanbul.

The church is rectangular in shape, with a large dome that serves as the central feature of the building.

The dome is supported by four massive piers, and the walls are adorned with some well preserved frescoes and mosaics.

One of the most impressive features of Hagia Irene is its intricate system of vaults and arches.

The church also features several impressive columns, some of which were taken from ancient Roman buildings.

Visitors will also be able to see the stunning marble floor, which is intricately patterned and serves as a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Byzantine builders who created the church.

Hagia Irene Istanbul ancient colored Frescos on wall insode the church

Hagia Irene vs Hagia Sophia

These are two very different churches. Whilst the Hagia Sophia gained both notoriety and fame over the years, Hagia Irene became almost an unknown archaeological site in the city.

The Hagia Sophia is bigger whist the Hagia Irene is older.

It’s believed by some that Hagia Irene was built as a “test” for the construction of the Hagia Sophia, although that is hard to fathom in that they are totally different architecturally.

Did You Know?

The Hagia Irene was the second largest church in Istanbul after the Hagia Sophia and remained so until it became a museum in the 1940s.

Hagia Irene Opening Hours

Current timings on the hours of operations that you can visit are as follows:

Monday9 am–5:30 pm
Tuesday9 am–5:30 pm
Wednesday9 am–5:30 pm
Thursday9 am–5:30 pm
Friday9 am–5:30 pm
Saturday9 am–7 pm
Sunday9 am–7 pm

Before visiting the best bet is to check out the most up to date information that can be found on the Hagia Irene Google Business Profile

Reviews of the Hagia Irene

Find out what other people are saying about their visit and what their experiences were at Hagia Irene by clicking the button below. Some people love the long history of the place, others find it a waste of time to visit – only you can be the judge!

Hagia Irene Location and Map

The address of the Hagia is Cankurtaran, Topkapı Sarayı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye with the building being within the walls of the Topkapi Palace Complex.

Hagia Irene | Final Thoughts

Hagia Irene is a bit of a gem of Istanbul, and a visit to this historical monument, if you love history, theology and architecture, would be a highlight of any trip to Turkey.

There are expansive, relaxing gardens just adjacent to the ancient church where visitors can take a stroll as a peaceful and serene escape from the bustling city of Istanbul. There are several benches and shaded areas where visitors can sit and admire the beauty of the church

This church may not be on everyone’s list of must-do touristic sites in the city but we don’t thinks you’ll regret visiting especially if you are taking in Topkapi Palace anyway.

Cheers everyone and thanks for reading – we hope this article was of interest.



Istanbul City FAQsAbout Absolute IstanbulIstanbul History Timeline
Tipping In TurkeyBelgrad ForestPera Museum
OTHER IMPORTANT PAGES

Is Hagia Irene Still A Church?

No. Theses days this magnificent ancient structure lives life as a Museum and Concert Hall.

Why Is The Hagia Irene Church Used For Concerts Today?

Long ago music experts recognized the Hagia Irene as a building that sported, among other notable things, amazing acoustics. Since the 1980’s the space has been used many times for classical and other musical performances. The  Istanbul International Music Festival always has a program of events here within the Hagia Irene.

Similar Posts