Hagia Irene is a photograph by Stephen Stookey which was uploaded on February 10th, 2015.
Hagia Irene
Hagia Irene (also known as the Basilica of Holy peace or Aya Irini Kilisesiis) is the oldest church in Istanbul and the only church from the 1453... more
Title
Hagia Irene
Artist
Stephen Stookey
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Hagia Irene (also known as the Basilica of Holy peace or Aya Irini Kilisesiis) is the oldest church in Istanbul and the only church from the 1453 fall of Constantinople not converted to a mosque. Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337 CE) laid the foundation stone for the original church structure. Hagia Irene served as the home of the Patriarch of Constantinople prior to completion of the original Hagia Sophia in 360. The first Council of Constantinople (381) convened inside the historic church. The Nika Revolts in 532 left both the Hagia Irene and Hagia Sophia severely damaged by fire. Emperor Justinian I had the church restored in 548. An earthquake in 8th century caused further damage, with significant restoration work ordered by Constantine V (718-775 CE)--at which time extensive Byzantine mosaic work adorned the church. The Byzantine structure (100m x 32 m) reflects a classical Roman basilica--a central nave flanked by columned aisles. The domed narthex and central dome (15 m wide & 35 m high, with 20 windows) creates a sense of transcendence. Galleries and an atrium provide additional space for royalty and dignitaries to gather. Above the narthex is a simple mosaic cross rather than the depiction of Christ Pantocrator common in Byzantine religious art. The choice a relic of the iconoclast controversies of the 8th and 9th centuries.
After the 1453 Fall of Constantinople Hagia Irene was stripped of much of its Christian adornment (though some remnants remain, including the narthex cross), enclosed within the walls of Topkapi Palace, and repurposed over the years as an armory, warehouse, and military museum. Today, the Turkish Ministry of Culture overseas the Hagia Irene, using the acoustically superb space for classical music concerts.
The Hagia Irene is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, included within the designated UNESCO Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Image captured with a Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 16-35 f/2.8L II lens, post image processing with Photoshop CS6 and Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.
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Uploaded
February 10th, 2015
