Hagia Irene Museum
Hagia Irene, or Holy Peace, was a Greek Eastern Orthodox church built under the orders of Emperor Constantine I over the ruins of a pagan temple as the first church in Constantinople. It served as the church of the Patriarchate until the basilica was built. Due to fires and earthquakes, the church suffered much damage and was restored on several occasions.
After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, the church was relocated inside the walls of Topkapı Palace, and although it was not converted into a mosque as most other churches, it still suffered damage at the hands of Ottoman soldiers when they used the building as an arsenal and warehouse.
Before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, it served as a military museum for 70 years and was then closed for a long period. In 2014, it was restored and reopened as a museum. Today, it is a popular location for classical music concerts because of its excellent acoustics.
Get your online ticket easily when you arrive at the Museum. Just Show&Go your online ticket and get into the amazing Hagia Irene. Self-discover this incredible place by listening to the specially curated audio guide, exclusively prepared by your Pass!
For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now! Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience!
