Aghia Eirene 548 - History of Islamic Architecture (sitios de interés)

Descripción del sitio

This marker is part of an extended History of Islamic Architecture

Constantinople-Istanbul
Aghia Eirene
Originally built by Emperor Justinian I, 4th cent
Present building: 548

The building reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple. It ranks, in fact, as the first church built in Constantinople. Roman emperor Constantine I commissioned the Hagia Irene church in the 4th century. It was burned down during the Nike revolt in 532. Emperor Justinian I had the church restored in 548. It served as the church of the Patriarchate before Hagia Sophia was completed in 537. The nave measures 100m x 32 m. It has the typical form of a Roman basilica, consisting of a nave and two aisles.
After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 the church was converted into an armoury. It was restored by Field Marshall Ahmed Fethi PaÃ?Â?a in 1846 and became the first Turkish museum. It was used as a Military Museum from 1908 until 1978. Today, it serves mainly as a concert hall for classical music performances, due to its extraordinary acoustic characteristics and impressive atmosphere.




The cross in the main apse is a unique example of theIslam-inspired Iconoclast period in Byzantine art (730-787).



Text and photos from Wkipedia

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