Constantinople, Orphanage of St Paul

Orphanage of St Paul: Byzantine social welfare institution, founded by the emperor Justin II.

The remains of Constantinople's Orphanage of Saint Paul can be found on the northeasternmost part of modern İstanbul, next to the Column of the Goth, just outside the Topkapı Palace.

Orphanage of St Paul
Orphanage of St Paul

The ruins of the institution, which was founded by the emperor Justin II (565-578) and served not only orphans, but also elderly people, the blind, and war veterans, are not very impressive; the main attraction of the site is the splendid view of the confluence of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, immediately north of the Orphanage.

There were two churches in the direct neighborhood, just to the north, which were dedicated to Saint Menas and Saint Demetrius.