Church of St. Mary of Blachernae

Church of St. Mary of Blachernae Θεοτόκος των Βλαχερνών
The modern church viewed from north
Church of St. Mary of Blachernae Θεοτόκος των Βλαχερνών Location in the district of Fatih in Istanbul
41°02′18″N 28°56′33″E / 41.0383°N 28.9425°E / 41.0383; 28.9425
Location	Ayvansaray, Istanbul
Country	Turkey
Denomination	Greek Orthodox
History
Founded	450
Founder(s)	Aelia Pulcheria
Dedication	Theotokos ton Blachernon
Cult(s) present	Saint Mary
Architecture
Completed	1867

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.^[1] 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.