Hagia Eirene is a Byzantine church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace. It was first constructed by Constantine the Great but it was destroyed by a fire during the Nika Revolt in 537. Emperor Justinian immediately rebuilt Hagia Eirene because together with Hagia Sophia, these two churches formed two essential religious establishments. This church is the first Byzantian Church in Istanbul and it was never converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Era.
Today, Hagia Eirene serves mainly as a concert hall, because of its excellent acoustics and impressive atmosphere. (Location: Istanbul)

Uploaded by slavica on 5/9/2007, viewed 6906 times.