The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the centre of Orthodoxy. Although Istanbul, and Turkey as a whole, is now chiefly a Muslim country, before the Ottomans conquered the city it was an important region for Christianity and served as the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. Despite the Ottoman conquer, Sultan Mehmet II allowed Christians to remain in the city and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople gained legal status. You can visit the church’s historical site in the Fener District of Istanbul. This quiet and mostly residential district has plenty of Greek houses and a thriving Jewish community. The somewhat plain architecture of the exterior gives no indication of what’s inside – the church has a lavishly decorated interior and visitors can view a selection of artefacts and relics from the city’s Orthodox past. A visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is most likely to appeal to visitors of Christian and/or Orthodox persuasions. Distance to Taxim Suites 2 km.