Located within the historic area between Zeyrek and Aksaray, and Şehzadebaşı and Kıztaşı, our library inside the Excavation House has been welcoming Istanbulites since December 14, 2022.

Serving with a capacity of 70 people in a 150-square-meter space, the Excavation House Library offers the chance to spend time among books in a historic setting, with a collection of 2,100 works focused on urban architecture and archaeology.

Ayios Polieuktos Church

The Ayios Polieuktos Church was built between 524 and 527 by Anikia Juliana, the daughter of Anikius Olybrius. Until the construction of Hagia Sophia, it held the distinction of being the largest church in the city. 

The structure was positioned along the road from the Forum of Taurus to the Church of the Holy Apostles.

The domed crypts were filled with rubble in the 7th century.During the Iconoclastic period,the church’s figurative reliefs were destroyed.

Believed to have been in use until the second half of the 10th century,the church was completely in ruins by the early 11th century.By the 13th century,it had been thoroughly 

plundered.

Parts of Polyeuktos can still be seen today on the facade of San Marco Church in Venice and at the Barcelona Archaeology Museum.The remains of the church were 

uncovered during excavations conducted between 1964 and 1968.

Capacity: 150 m², 70 people

Address: İskender Paşa, Kavalalı Sok., Fatih