Istanbul has been home to many faiths and cultures over the centuries, and its churches are some of the city's most rewarding historic buildings. From a Byzantine church that has never stopped holding services to the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and grand 19th-century Catholic churches in Beyoğlu, these are the churches to visit in Istanbul and what to look for in each.
Before You Visit Istanbul's Churches
- Most of these are active places of worship. Dress modestly, keep your voice down and avoid visiting during services unless you are attending.
- Opening times are irregular and some churches open only for services or on certain days. Check locally before making a special trip.
- Photography rules vary from church to church, so look for signs or ask.
- The churches fall into two easy walking clusters: Fener and Balat on the Golden Horn, and Galata, Karaköy and Beyoğlu north of the Golden Horn.
Hagia Sophia: From Church to Mosque
No list of Istanbul churches can leave out Hagia Sophia, even though it is no longer a church. The present building was completed in 537 under Emperor Justinian and was the greatest church of the Byzantine Empire for more than 900 years. Its dome remained an engineering landmark for centuries.
During the Latin occupation of 1204 to 1261, Crusaders plundered its relics and treasures. The Byzantines restored it after retaking the city. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II converted it into a mosque. In 1934 it became a museum, opening to visitors in 1935, and in July 2020 it became a mosque again.
Since 15 January 2024 foreign visitors use a separate route to the upper gallery for a fee, while the ground floor is reserved for prayer. Hagia Sophia is in Sultanahmet Square, next to the Sultanahmet stop on the T1 tram line. Fees and hours change, so check the official website before you visit. For practical details, see our Hagia Sophia visitor guide, and for the stories behind the building, the secrets of Hagia Sophia.
Churches in Fener and Balat on the Golden Horn
St George's Cathedral (Ayios Yeoryios), the Ecumenical Patriarchate
After the Ottoman conquest, the Orthodox Patriarchate moved several times. It went first to the Church of the Holy Apostles, then to the Pammakaristos Monastery, and later to other churches in Fener and Ayvansaray. It finally settled at the Church of St George in Fener around 1600 and has remained there ever since.
The church stands in a large courtyard surrounded by high walls. The compound also contains the Patriarchate offices, a library and the small chapel of St Charalambos, as well as the building where the holy chrism (myron) used in Orthodox ceremonies is prepared. Inside the church, look for the patriarchal throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl, considered a masterpiece of woodcarving, and the icons that draw Orthodox pilgrims from around the world.
Location: the Fener neighbourhood in the Fatih district, on the southern shore of the Golden Horn.
Church of St Mary of the Mongols (Panagia Mouchliotissa)
Higher up the hill above the Patriarchate stands the small Church of St Mary of the Mongols, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its name comes from Maria Palaiologina, a Byzantine princess who was sent to marry the Mongol ruler Hulagu Khan. After many years in the east she returned to Constantinople and devoted herself to religious life, and the church is linked with her from the 13th century.
The clover-shaped, domed building may be even older. It is the only Byzantine church in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque and has kept its original function as a church ever since.
Location: Fener, in the Fatih district, a short uphill walk from the Patriarchate.
Churches in Galata and Beyoğlu
Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Galata
This Dominican church sits just below the Galata Tower in Karaköy and is also known as Santi Pietro e Paolo. The Dominicans had been in Galata since the 13th century. When their original monastery (today the Arap Mosque) was taken from them, they moved to the church of St Peter.
They built a new church in 1603, which later burned down. The present building was designed by the architect Gaspare Fossati and built in 1841 to 1843. It is hidden behind a high wall and entered through a small door, so it is easy to walk past.
St Esprit Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Spirit), Harbiye
St Esprit is the most important building of Istanbul's Latin Catholic community and the cathedral of the Latin Catholic diocese. It stands in the courtyard of the Notre Dame de Sion French high school on Cumhuriyet Avenue in Harbiye, Şişli. The church and its annexes were built in 1846 by Giuseppe Fossati, who restored Hagia Sophia together with his older brother Gaspare. It became a cathedral in 1876, after being seriously damaged in the earthquake of 1865.
The rectangular, three-aisled basilica has a pitched roof and an interior close to the Baroque style. Two columns at the main entrance carry the gallery with the organ, and two rows of six columns divide the space into three aisles. The right aisle, dedicated to St Nicholas, contains the baptistery, and the altar area is particularly impressive.
Popes visiting Turkey have celebrated Mass here. A large copy of the medallion made for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Istanbul is on display, and the garden has a statue of Pope Benedict XV. The crypt holds several notable graves, including that of Giuseppe Donizetti Pasha, the Italian musician who led the Ottoman court music.
Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Armenian Catholic Church
This Armenian Catholic church stands just behind the French Consulate near Taksim. It was built between 1860 and 1863; construction was started by the architect Garabed Tülbentçiyan and completed by his brother Andon.
The centrally planned building is topped with an octagonal roof and has a monumental interior that holds close to 1,000 people. Religious and decorative figures cover the inner surfaces of the roof and the altar paintings. It is the largest Armenian church in Istanbul, and Pope John Paul II visited it during his trip to Turkey in November 1979. A marble plaque in the church commemorates the visit.
St Anthony of Padua (Saint Antoine), İstiklal Avenue
St Anthony of Padua on İstiklal Avenue is the largest Catholic church in Istanbul and one of the most visited, thanks to its location and its red-brick neo-Gothic facade. Visitors of all faiths drop in throughout the day.
It was built in the early 20th century to designs by the architect Giulio Mongeri, who worked with engineer Edoardo De Nari on many projects. To fund the church, two apartment blocks were built facing İstiklal Avenue, with the church set back behind them around a small courtyard. In the courtyard is a statue of Pope John XXIII, who served in Istanbul as apostolic delegate before he became pope.
Location: on the left side of İstiklal Avenue as you walk from Galatasaray towards Tünel.
More Byzantine Churches in Istanbul
If you are interested in Byzantine architecture, several former churches are worth adding to your route:
- Hagia Irene (Aya İrini) in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace, which was never converted into a mosque and is now a museum.
- Chora (Kariye), famous for its mosaics and frescoes. It became a mosque again in 2020 and reopened on 6 May 2024, with a fee for foreign visitors and closures to tourists on Fridays.
- Little Hagia Sophia, built by Justinian and Theodora in the 530s and now a mosque.
When visiting former churches that are now mosques, dress modestly, and expect them to close to visitors during prayer times.
Many of these sites can be combined with a guided walk. Our private guided Istanbul tour can be tailored to include Fener, Balat and the churches of Galata.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists visit churches in Istanbul?
Yes. Most active churches welcome respectful visitors outside service times. Dress modestly and check opening times locally, as they can be irregular.
Is Hagia Sophia still a church?
No. Hagia Sophia was a church for over 900 years, a mosque from 1453, a museum from 1934 and has been a mosque again since July 2020.
Which Byzantine church in Istanbul is still used as a church?
The Church of St Mary of the Mongols (Panagia Mouchliotissa) in Fener is the only Byzantine church in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque and still serves as a church.
What is the largest Catholic church in Istanbul?
St Anthony of Padua on İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu is the largest Catholic church in the city.
Where is the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul?
It is at the Church of St George in the Fener neighbourhood, on the southern shore of the Golden Horn.
End your sightseeing day on the water
After the old city, see the palaces and mansions from the Bosphorus on a private sunset yacht cruise, only for your group.
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