Hagia Irene Museum
Aya İrini Museum
Aya İrini is an important historical structure located in the historic peninsula of Istanbul.
Dating back to the Byzantine period, it is one of the oldest churches in Istanbul and is currently a museum. Aya İrini was first built in the 4th century. The first structure was destroyed by a fire and was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in 532. During the Ottoman Empire, Aya İrini was not converted into a mosque and was used as an armory during the reign of Mahmud II. It was later converted into the Müze-i Hümayun (Imperial Museum).
Aya İrini has been used as a museum and concert hall since 1973. The lack of any decorations or icons inside allows the original architecture of the structure to stand out. It also hosts many important concerts and events thanks to its excellent acoustics. This impressive structure offers visitors an experience that bears traces of both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.