Why go
Agios Dimitrios, Hagia Sophia, Acheiropoietos and Panagia Chalkeon offer different ways into the city's early Christian and Byzantine architecture. Their surviving mosaics, plans and later changes make more sense together than as a list of isolated monuments. Pick a few that fit your route rather than trying to cover the whole group at once.
What to look for
- The basilica form of Agios Dimitrios and Acheiropoietos contrasts with Panagia Chalkeon's cross-shaped plan.
- Mosaics at Agios Dimitrios and Hagia Sophia show different phases of Christian art.
- Several churches survived conversion to mosques during Ottoman rule and later damage.
Useful to know
- Compare central churches on one walk, then save the Upper Town churches for a separate, hillier outing.
- Check access before setting out if you intend to see interiors rather than the buildings from outside.