Archaeologists stunned by discovery of secret rooms beneath 1,500-year-old church in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most sought-after historical sites in the world. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of new kingdoms, religions, cultures and more. Today, it is a popular destination for its rich cultural heritage. Archaeologists recently discovered a secret underground passage with adjoining rooms during excavations at the 1,500-year-old Church of St. Polyeuctus in Saraçhane Archaeology Park, according to Live Science.

The hidden structures found under the ruins were supposed to be part of an ancient church. However, there is no clear answer as to why these underground tunnels and rooms were built. For now, the purpose remains unsolved and a mystery to archaeologists.

The underground elements consist of two large chambers connected by a tunnel and appear to be connected to the church’s prothesis—a chamber next to the altar where bread and wine were prepared for the Byzantine rite of the Divine Liturgy. Decorated with mosaics, stone inlays, and carved marble blocks, the underground passage impressed researchers.

The Church of St. Polyeuctus was built when the city of Istanbul, then Constantinople, had Christianity as the official religion of the empire. It was built between 524 and 527 by the Eastern Roman princess Anicia Juliana. She wanted to show her power against Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, who took the throne after him, according to Anadolu Ajansi.

The first archaeological excavations of the church were conducted between 1964 and 1969 by British art historian Professor Martin Harrison and archaeologist Nezih Firatli, according to Turkish Archaeological News. Currently, the church of St. Polyeuktus is in ruins, but excavations have been carried out in the area to make it a potential tourist attraction.

Mahir Polat, deputy secretary general of the Istanbul Metropolitanate, said the structure is a perfect example of the city’s architecture. It has withstood the test of time and the wrath of earthquakes. While the main structure of St. Polyeuktos was destroyed, its infrastructure remained intact. He said: “Istanbul, which is currently struggling with earthquakes, has experienced dozens of earthquakes in the past 1,500 years. However, the structure we see now has survived all the earthquakes. We should learn from this,” according to Daily Sabah. The official added: “The city’s memory of earthquakes is also here. If you want to see the memory of earthquakes in Istanbul, then what happened in the Fatih district is a good example.”

Professor Ken Dark, an archaeologist at King’s College London who was not involved in the excavation project but has previously excavated in Istanbul, said the ruins of St Polyeuctus are among the best-documented in the city. He said: “I hope that the re-exposure of the ruins of this historically important and once magnificent church will increase awareness of its existence to a much wider audience.”