The ruins of the magnificent temple of Agios Polyeuktos, which is considered one of the most important buildings of the Eastern Roman Empire and was built about 1,500 years ago, are revealed in archaeological excavations in Constantinople, the Anatoli news agency reports.

The teams of the Directorate of Archaeological Museums of Istanbul are excavating the underground areas of the church and the latest discoveries have been added to the list. Rahmi Asal, director of the Directorate of Archaeological Museums, noted to Anadolu Agency that the area where the church is located contains some of the most important archaeological remains of Istanbul, which have very important decorations and architectural structures.

“Agios Polyektos is the largest and most important building of its period after the “Temenos” of Agia Sophia in the metropolis,” he said characteristically, adding that the temple was built in 524-527 AD by the princess Julian Anicia who wanted to make a show of strength against the emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, who later succeeded him on the throne.

Asal explained that the church was severely damaged, especially during its time Losing her Constof Antinoupo by the crusaders (1204), while the building is said to have been damaged by an earthquake in 1010, with parts of it being used in St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. He added that the church’s materials were also used to decorate and build other church structures in Istanbul.

The first archaeological excavations of the temple were conducted in 1960-1967 by British art historian Prof. Martin Harrison and archaeologist Nezi Filatri, he said, adding that the majority of the church’s uncovered space was revealed at the time. He added that a marble fragment of the torso of a male statue was discovered about one meter below the surface on the northern sides of the main structure as a result of the excavations and that the 33cm high and 28cm wide marble statue may date from the Late Roman period. of the third to fourth century.

Agios Polyektos

The site of the temple, in the Saraçhane district, was gradually occupied by houses and a mosque during the Ottoman period. In 1940, however, these were demolished and in 1960, during the construction of the intersection of Șehzadebași Street with Atatürk Avenue, when excavations began.