Aya Irini Church, also known as Hagia Irene or the Church of Holy Peace, stands in the first courtyard of Topkapi Palace, just behind Hagia Sophia. It is the largest Byzantine church in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque, and its bare brick interior gives a rare idea of what an early Byzantine church looked like before later decoration.
History of Aya Irini Church
A church stood on this site from the early days of Constantinople. The first building dates from the 4th century, in the time of Constantine the Great, the founder of the city. According to tradition, it was built on the site of an earlier pagan temple. Before Hagia Sophia was completed, Aya Irini served as the city's main church.
In 381, the church hosted the Second Ecumenical Council, one of the most important meetings in the history of Christianity, which confirmed the Nicene Creed.
Like Hagia Sophia, the church was burned during the Nika revolt of 532, a great uprising against the emperor Justinian I. Justinian rebuilt both churches, and the new Aya Irini was completed shortly afterwards. After an earthquake in 740, the church was repaired again, and parts of the upper structure you see today date from that restoration.
Aya Irini in the Ottoman period
After the Ottoman conquest of 1453, Aya Irini was enclosed within the walls of Topkapi Palace. Instead of becoming a mosque, it was used as an armoury for the palace guard and a store for weapons and war trophies.
In the 19th century it housed collections of old weapons and antiquities, the first steps towards a museum in the Ottoman Empire. Those antiquities later formed the core of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, just down the hill. Thanks to this long military use, the church was preserved without major changes to its structure.
What to see inside Aya Irini
- The atrium: Aya Irini is the only Byzantine church in Istanbul that still has its original atrium, the colonnaded courtyard in front of the entrance.
- The apse cross: the semi-dome above the apse is decorated with a large black cross on a gold background, a mosaic from the Iconoclast period, when figurative images were banned in churches.
- The synthronon: tiered stone benches for the clergy curve around the apse, one of the few surviving examples in the city.
- The space itself: the plain brick walls, high dome and long nave show early Byzantine architecture without later decoration.
With its excellent acoustics, Aya Irini is also used for concerts and cultural events, including performances during the Istanbul Music Festival.
Visiting Aya Irini Church
How to get there
Aya Irini stands in the first courtyard of Topkapi Palace, which you enter through the Imperial Gate behind Hagia Sophia. The first courtyard is open to everyone, so you can reach the church without entering the palace itself. The nearest tram stop is Sultanahmet or Gulhane on the T1 line.
Tickets
Aya Irini has its own ticket, separate from the Topkapi Palace ticket. Check whether the Museum Card is currently accepted and which day of the week the church is closed.
Entrance fees and opening hours change often. Check the current fee and hours on the official website before you visit.
Tips for your visit
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the church.
- Visit before or after Topkapi Palace, as both are in the same complex. Our guide to the Topkapi Palace courtyards explains how the palace is laid out.
- Arrive well before closing time, as ticket sales stop earlier.
- Combine it with Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque, all within walking distance.
To see Aya Irini and the other Byzantine monuments of Sultanahmet with a guide, join our Istanbul old city tour. For other churches worth visiting, see churches to visit in Istanbul.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aya Irini the same as Hagia Sophia?
No. Aya Irini (Hagia Irene, Holy Peace) is a separate, smaller Byzantine church a few steps from Hagia Sophia, in the first courtyard of Topkapi Palace.
Was Aya Irini ever a mosque?
No. After 1453 it was used as an armoury and later as a museum, which is why it has kept its original church form.
Do I need a Topkapi Palace ticket to visit Aya Irini?
No. Aya Irini has its own ticket, and the first courtyard where it stands can be entered without a palace ticket.
Can you attend a concert at Aya Irini?
Yes. Thanks to its acoustics, the church hosts concerts and cultural events, including performances during the Istanbul Music Festival.
End your sightseeing day on the water
After the old city, see the palaces and mansions from the Bosphorus on a private sunset yacht cruise, only for your group.
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