Hagia Irene

The Hagia Irene, meaning “Holy Peace,” is an ancient church in the Sultanahmet District of Istanbul. First built by Constantine the Great in 330 AD, it is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire and the second-largest after the nearby Hagia Sophia.

History of the Hagia Irene

330 AD: The First Hagia Irene was Built

The first Hagia Irene Church was built on the location of a former pagan temple during the city’s transition from being a Greek trading colony to being “Nova Roma” (New Rome) as its founder Constantine the Great (reigned 306—337 AD) called it (the name “Constantinople” that was used by the masses eventually stuck). Inside the Hagia Irene’s courtyard remains a porphyry sarcophagus, believed to be the tomb of Constantine the Great.

By the end of Constantine’s reign, the Hagia Irene was a functioning church, and it was the church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople until the Hagia Sophia church was completed.

The atrium, or central courtyard, of the Hagia Irene. In the distance is a royal porphyry sarcophagus believed to be that of Constantine the Great.

360 AD: The Hagia Sophia is Built Near the Hagia Irene

Emperor Constantinus II (reigned 337—361) built the first Hagia Sophia church near the Hagia Irene (this first Hagia Sophia would also later be burned down and replaced by a second and third, which is the one we see today):

381 AD: The Hagia Irene Hosts the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople

The Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople was probably held in the Hagia Irene. Emperor Theodosius I (reigned 379—395 AD) convened the council to clarify Jesus Christ’s identity, whether he was human, divine, or both. The council resulted in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, an expanded version of the earlier Nicene Creed, from the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea, that most Christians have recited in Church.

404 AD: The Hagia Sophia is Destroyed by Fire, Hagia Irene Takes Over

Riots broke out in Constantinople over the banishment of the popular Patriarch, John Chrysostom. The rioters burned down the first Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Irene again became the patriarchal church until the Hagia Sophia could be rebuilt.

415 AD: The Hagia Sophia is Rebuilt

Emperor Theodosius II (reigned 402—450 AD) rebuilt the second Hagia Sophia. The Patriarchate returned to the Hagia Sophia.

532 AD: The Nika Riots Destroy the Hagia Irene and Hagia Sophia

Rival political, trade, and sporting factions, called the Greens and the Blues after the colors they wore, revolted against Emperor Justinian I (reigned 527—565 AD). Justinian had refused to pardon and release two of the factions’ members, one from each faction. The two prisoners had been found guilty of murder after a previous riot, and during their hanging, the scaffold broke. The Blues and the Greens demanded their release, but Justinian refused and only reduced their sentences to life in prison.

The Blues and the Greens ran through the streets shouting “Nika!” (Victory!) as they burned down half of Constantinople, including the Hagia Irene and the Hagia Sophia. Justinian nearly fled the city, but his wife, Theodora, insisted they remain. Justinian had the rioters, from both sides, lured into the Hippodrome under the ruse of a negotiation. The exits of the hippodrome were then closed off, and soldiers entered with their swords and killed everyone inside.

548 AD: Reconstruction by Justinian I

The Hagia Irene was reconstructed by Justinian in 548 along with the Hagia Sophia, 30 other churches, and other buildings. The new Hagia Irene had a “cross-domed plan” (in the shape of a cross).

740 AD: An Earthquake Heavily Damages the Hagia Irene

753 AD: Constantine V Rebuilds the Hagia Irene

Constantine V (reigned 741—775 AD) reconstructed the church following the previous plan. The foundation was strengthened, the dome raised, a second dome added, and barrel vaults added to improve the dome’s support.

The apse of the Hagia Irene, with a simple cross painted on it. — The apse of the Hagia Irene. This reflects the decoration (or lack thereof) of the Byzantine iconoclastic periods, when depictions of humans and other living things were considered idolatry.

Constantine V was an iconoclast who opposed the depiction of people or living things. Therefore, the only decoration inside the church was a simple mosaic of a cross in the apse. The iconoclastic design remains today.

1453: Conquest of Constantinople

After the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet II (The Conqueror, reigned 1444—1446 and 1451—1481), ordered the construction of Topkapı Palace. The wall of the palace’s outer (first) courtyard ran between the Hagia Irene and the Hagia Sophia. So today, the Hagia Irene is within the wall of the first courtyard of the palace, and no longer shares a walled compound with the Hagia Sophia. Unlike most churches that were converted to mosques after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the Hagia Irene was converted to an arsenal, then used as a warehouse for war trophies.

1726: Hagia Irene Converted to a Military Antiques Museum

1978: Hagia Irene Turned Over to the Turkish Ministry of Culture.

The Hagia Irene is now a museum. Because of its acoustics, it is also a venue for classical music performances. You can check upcoming performances in the Hagia Irene using Turkey’s main booking website, Billetix.

Architecture of the Hagia Irene

The Hagia Irene is a typical Roman basilica with a nave and lower and upper galleries on the sides. It is 57 meters (187 feet) long and 32 meters (105 feet) wide. The dome is 16 meters in diameter and has 20 windows.

The nave of the Hagia Irene, with the apse and in the background and galleries on the sides. — The dome, apse, and side galleries of the Hagia Irene.

The apse still has a simple cross from the reign of iconoclast Constantine V. The three windows in the wall of the apse represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The arches of the apse above the beam (podium) display verses from the Old Testament:

“We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.” —Psalms 65:4—5

“He builds his lofty palace in the heavens and sets its foundation on the earth; he calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land—the LORD is his name.” —Amos 9:6

Around the base of the apse of the Hagia Irene is the synthronon, seven rows of seats for clergy.

Where is the Hagia Irene?

The Hagia Irene is located 70 meters (77 yards) northwest of the Hagia Sophia. It is on the southern edge of the outer (first) courtyard of Topkapı Palace. There is no fee to enter the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace so that you can see the exterior of the Hagia Irene for free. To enter it, you must buy a ticket.

For the larger Google custom map, click here.