Hagia Irene, Istanbul

Hagia Irene—whose name means “Holy Peace,” though she’s seen more drama than the title suggests—sits quietly in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace. For centuries, she was off-limits to the public, which only made her more mysterious. But since 2014, she’s opened her doors as a museum, happily welcoming curious visitors… for a modest fee.

Long before minarets and sultans ruled the skyline, this exact spot hosted a pagan temple. Then along came Constantine the Great, in the 4th century AD, who said, “Let there be a church!” And thus Hagia Irene became one of the very first in Constantinople. That first version burned down in 532—because history loves a little chaos—so, Emperor Justinian stepped in and rebuilt it a few years later. For a brief moment, before Hagia Sophia stole the spotlight, Hagia Irene was the superstar Patriarchal Church of the city.

Architecturally, she’s a classic Roman basilica: two naves, an aisle, and plenty of elegant columns dividing the space. She also boasts something rare for Istanbul—an original Byzantine atrium still intact. In the 8th century, Emperor Constantine V added mosaics and frescoes, giving the interior some well-earned sparkle.

But here’s the twist: unlike many Byzantine churches, Hagia Irene never became a mosque. That means no massive calligraphic discs, no mihrab—just pure, echo-friendly stone. And that acoustics-friendly design has earned her a new gig. Today, she transforms into one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric concert halls, hosting spine-tingling classical performances during the Istanbul Music Festival.

So, regardless of whether you’re here for history, architecture, or the chance to hear a violin note resonate for what feels like eternity, Hagia Irene offers a peaceful—and seriously impressive—pause in the heart of the Old City all the same...