Yeni Kapu - St. Cosmas and St. Damian

The original church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian in Yeni Kapu was built in the 5th century, but it was destroyed during the Nika riots in 532 AD. The current church was built in the 8th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II. It served as a church, hospital, military barracks, and museum. The building is dedicated to the twin brothers Cosmas and Damian, who were physicians in the Roman Empire and are venerated as saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. The church has a distinctive octagonal shape, with eight pillars supporting a dome.

During the Ottoman era, the church was converted into a mosque and given the name Molla Gürani Camii. The minaret that was added during this time still stands next to the church today. However, this church no longer exists today. The original building was likely destroyed during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, or possibly earlier during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Despite its tumultuous history, the site remains an important cultural landmark and attracts visitors from around the world.