Standing in the First Courtyard of Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene holds a unique distinction: it is one of the few churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque. Its history predates the Ottoman conquest, originating as the first cathedral of Constantinople, built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. The current structure, a magnificent example of Byzantine domed basilica architecture, was largely rebuilt by Emperor Justinian after a fire in the 6th century.
After the conquest of 1453, Hagia Irene was enclosed within the palace walls and repurposed as the Imperial Armory. For centuries, it housed weapons, spoils of war, and treasures. In the 19th century, it became the site of Turkey’s first museum. Today, its incredible acoustics and profound sense of history make it a world-renowned venue for classical music concerts, its ancient walls echoing with a new form of worship: the art of music.