This church is in the first court of Topkapi Palace. It is one of the earliest Christian churches in Istanbul. Although since much altered. It was destroyed by fire during the Nika rebellion. and restored and enlarged by Justinian. Theodosius i convened the second economic counsul here in 381. After a serious earthquake in the 8 century the church underwent extensive restoration under Isaiak Leon (717-741).

On first impression. the plan appears to be basilical. with three naves separated by piers and columns. The upper storey is reminiscent of a cruciform plan. with the western arm of the cross elongated and elipsoid in shape. The church is covered with a domical vault. The cruciform mosaic in the apse dates from the iconoelastic period. The row of columns and arches supporting the gallery was added in the Turkish period. when the ch urch wasused for purposes other than worship, first as an armoury and a store for war trophies. Later it became a museum and today is attached to the museum of Ayasofya. The church is used for special exhibitions and occasional concerts. During the Byzantine era, Hagia Eirene was connected directly to the complex of Hagia Sophia. Later, during the Ottoman period, various buildings were erected between the two and Hagia Eirene remained within the walls of the palace.