Turkish name: Hagia Eirene Kilisesi
Hagia Eirene Church is a former Eastern Orthodox church located at the First Courtyard of Topkapi palace. The church measures 100m x 32m and is in the form of a Roman basilica. It is believed that it stands in place of a Pre-Christian temple and is considered the first church built in Constantinople (city of Istanbul today). It was built in the 4th century under the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine I. The church was burned down in 532 during the Nike revolt, however it was restored again in 548 by Emperor Justinian I.
The church was the church of the Patriarchate before Hagia Sophia was built in 537. In the 8th century, an earthquake hit the city and as a consequence, the church was heavily damaged. It was repaired and restored again soon by...Read More
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