Church of St. Mary of Blachernae - Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Church of St. Mary of Blachernae - Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Church of Saint Mary of Blachernae (full name in Greek: Θεοτόκος των Βλαχερνών (pr. Theotókos ton Vlachernón); Turkish name: Meryem Ana Kilisesi) is an Eastern Orthodox church in Mustafa Paşa Bostanı Sokak in Ayvansaray in the Fatih district of Istanbul, just inside the old walled city. During the latter part of the Byzantine period, the original church complex on the site was one of the most important sanctuaries of Byzantium, arguably outstripping Hagia Sophia in importance due to its proximity to the Palace of the Blachernae.The importance of the Church can be – among others – argued from the fact that along the whole Orthodox world (from Crete to Cherson in Crimea) many churches were put under the same dedication. Janin (1953), p. 169. The Byzantine church complex was destroyed in 1434, and in the nineteenth century a small new church was built on the site. Today it is protected by a high wall, and fronted by a garden. Read more on Wikipedia
Source: en.wikipedia.org