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Hagia Irene
CultureVisit: ~45 min
A Byzantine church in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace, one of the oldest in Istanbul. Its present building is the result of Justinian's reconstruction after the Nika riots, in the 6th century. Unlike Hagia Sophia, it was never converted into a mosque: the Ottomans used it as an arsenal. Its sober interior, with a large cross in the apse, has acoustics highly valued for concerts.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Hagia Irene: 2 missions
- Look at the apse with its great crossGo into the nave and look at the large cross painted above the apse, a rare detail in a city of mosques.
- Photograph the dome from the insideStand in the centre of the nave and photograph the dome, with natural light coming in through its windows.
Near Hagia Irene
Hagia Sophia180 m awayIstanbul Archaeology Museums218 m awayBasilica Cistern305 m awayTopkapı Palace438 m awaySultanahmet Square577 m awayHippodrome of Constantinople595 m away
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need for Hagia Irene?
Allow about 45 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Hagia Irene?
Look at the apse with its great cross and Photograph the dome from the inside.
What is there to see near Hagia Irene?
Hagia Sophia (180 m), Istanbul Archaeology Museums (218 m) and Basilica Cistern (305 m).
Source: OpenStreetMap