What was the role of Hagia Irene as an arsenal?

Hagia Irene is a former Eastern Orthodox church located in Istanbul within the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace. Unlike many other Byzantine churches in the city, it was never converted into a mosque. Instead, it served as an arsenal for storing weapons until the 19th century before eventually becoming a museum and concert hall.

What we know

• Hagia Irene was used as an arsenal for storing weapons until the 19th century. [2, 5]
• The building is located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. [2]
• Hagia Irene is one of only two Byzantine churches in Istanbul that were never converted into mosques. [2, 5]
• Today, Hagia Irene operates as a museum and concert hall. [2, 5]

Where to go next

• a case in pointWhich other Byzantine church in Istanbul was never converted into a mosque?
• whereWhat is the history of Topkapı Palace?
• the bigger pictureHow did Ottoman reuse of Byzantine buildings shape Istanbul?
• whenWhen did Hagia Irene transition into a museum and concert hall?
• compared withHow does Hagia Irene compare in architectural significance to Hagia Sophia?
• an unexpected connectionHow a church became a weapon storehouseWhile most major Byzantine religious structures in Istanbul were converted into mosques after the conquest, Hagia Irene uniquely spent centuries functioning as an Ottoman weapons arsenal.

Sources

• [1]Hagia Irene (Wikidata Q736676) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Hagia Irene · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Hagia Sophia · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Byzantine architecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols · CC BY-SA 4.0