{"id":1746,"date":"2020-01-13T16:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-01-13T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/?p=1746"},"modified":"2025-10-24T14:58:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:58:24","slug":"the-historical-churches-of-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/the-historical-churches-of-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic legacy: Churches of \u0130stanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n\n

Churches of Istanbul stand as timeless monuments, reflecting the city’s profound, multi-layered history as a cradle of civilization. These sacred sites showcase stunning architectural transitions and offer a quiet glimpse into the spiritual and cultural heart of this magnificent metropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hagia Irene<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Thanks
Thanks to its excellent acoustics, Hagia Irene even plays host to selected concerts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hagia Irene (Aya \u0130rini) was the first church to be built by the Byzantines, and its history goes back to the 4th century, though its official status wasn\u2019t realized until after a fire which occurred in 532. The Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian had the damage caused to the church by the fire repaired in 548. Hagia Irene is also the only Byzantine church to survive to this day with its courtyard still intact. Inside the church you\u2019ll find a large cross above gold-gilded mosaics, though its interior would be best described as stark and imposing. Because it was within the walls of Topkap\u0131 Palace, the church wasn\u2019t converted into a mosque, but it was used as an armory by the Janissaries, the elite infantry units which formed the Ottoman Sultan\u2019s household. It was also used to house an early military museum, and still serves as a museum today. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, it even plays host to selected concerts throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

St. Stephen Bulgarian Orthodox Church<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The St. Stephen Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s appearance is no less magnificent and is still a joy to admire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1898, the timber house standing on a plot of land belonging to Prince Stefan Bogoridi was converted into the St. Stephen Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Sveti Stefan Bulgar Kilisesi). It was consecrated in 1894 with a ceremony in Slavic. After the wooden church was burned down, St. Stephen Church was rebuilt using iron so as not to suffer the same fate again. Its doors opened again in 1898 and was considered not just one of the most elegant buildings on the Golden Horn, but in the whole of \u0130stanbul. Designed by one of the era\u2019s leading architects, Hovsep Aznavour, the 500 tons of iron used to build the church were cast in Vienna and shipped over to \u0130stanbul. The church\u2019s second consecration was carried out by the Exarch Joseph in September 1898 and was known by Bulgarians as \u201ca pearl in \u0130stanbul\u2019s crown\u201d. Today, its appearance is no less magnificent and is still a joy to admire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n \n \n \n <\/rect>\n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/g>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
\n
Widen your world.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n