Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Hagia Irene
A church never turned into a mosque
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Mustang Joe · CC0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Hagia Irene
Hagia Irene, the Church of Holy Peace, stands in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace. Rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century, it was used by the Ottomans as an arsenal and was never converted into a mosque, so its bare, lofty interior, with a great cross in the apse, feels like a step back to early Byzantium. It is a museum and occasional concert venue.
Why it's on our list
- 6th-century church
- In Topkapı’s first courtyard
- Concerts in summer
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hagia Irene before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Hagia Irene are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- GülhaneT1350 m4 min walk
- SultanahmetT1500 m6 min walk
- SirkeciT1750 m9 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Ishakpaşa Caddesi350 m5 min walk
- Taxi rank, Çayıroğlu Sokağı950 m12 min walk
Key sights
- Hagia Sophia150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 3 min
- Topkapı Palace250 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Basilica Cistern250 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Blue Mosque600 mWalk 8 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Grand Bazaar1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Spice Bazaar1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Bridge1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Galata Tower1.8 kmWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.7 kmWalk 33 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)30 kmCar or taxi 94 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)35 kmCar or taxi 109 min