On the eastern side of the Augustaion square, Emperor Constantine built a grand building called the Basilica. This was where the Senate of Constantinople held its most important meetings. The entrance had a porch supported by six marble columns, each one beautifully carved and polished Forum of Constantine.
Inside, the Basilica was decorated with different kinds of marble, creating a colorful and luxurious interior. It also displayed famous statues brought from different parts of the ancient world, such as:
The Group of the Muses from Mount Helicon in Greece
A statue of Zeus from Dodona, one of the oldest oracles in Greece
A figure of Pallas Athena from Lindus, a city on the island of Rhodes
These works of art showed the city’s connection to both classical heritage and imperial prestige.
Constantine’s Churches and Christian Vision
According to the historian Eusebius, Constantine filled the city and its nearby areas with many Christian churches. The two most important were:
The Church of Irene
The Church of the Holy Apostles
The Church of Irene (“Peace”) was located just north of the Augustaion. It was later restored by Justinian the Great in the 6th century and again by Emperor Leo III. Today, it still stands inside the grounds of the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul and serves as a museum and concert hall Tour Guide Sofia.
The Church of the Apostles stood on the Fourth Hill of Constantinople. It was known for its roof made of gold-covered bronze tiles, shining in the sunlight. This church was replaced after the Ottoman conquest by the Fatih Mosque, built by Mehmet the Conqueror.
The Imperial Mausoleum and Burial Site
Next to the Church of the Apostles, Constantine built his own mausoleum. It was surrounded by twelve columns, representing the twelve apostles. This showed how deeply he identified with the Christian faith.
Over time, many Byzantine emperors, empresses, and patriarchs (leaders of the church) were buried there, in tombs made of porphyry or marble. The area became one of the most sacred places in the city.
Did Constantine Build Hagia Sophia?
There is some debate over whether Constantine started the building of Hagia Sophia, the city’s most famous church. The historian Eusebius does not mention it, while Socrates Scholasticus, a later writer, says it was built by Constantius, Constantine’s son. Some scholars believe Constantine may have laid the foundation, but it was completed later.
Other Churches in the City
Several other churches are also linked to Constantine, including those dedicated to:
St. Mokius, St. Acacius, St. Agathonicus, St. Michael the Archangel at Anaplus (modern-day Arnavutköy on the Bosporus)
These churches show that Constantine aimed to make Christianity a central part of his new capital, both spiritually and politically.
The Christian Symbol on the Palace
Constantine made his Christian faith visibly clear throughout the city. According to Eusebius, he even placed a golden cross decorated with jewels over the entrance of his Imperial Palace. This was not just for decoration—it was meant to serve as a spiritual shield, protecting the emperor from enemies and evil forces.
Through his churches, monuments, and public buildings, Constantine made Christianity the foundation of New Rome—Constantinople. His efforts combined the grandeur of the Roman Empire with the spiritual power of the Christian Church, making his city both a political capital and a center of faith for the centuries that followed.
