The Dedication of Constantinople (AD 330) (Istanbul)

Around 324, while living in his Nicomedia (modern Izmit) palace, emperor Constantine the Great commissioned the building of a new eastern capital city at the strategic location of Byzantium. Constantine built Constantinople—New Rome—apparently on seven hills like Old Rome, erected strong defensive walls around the entire city, constructed an imperial palace, and expanded the hippodrome. On May 11, 330, Constantine dedicated Constantinople in a service in the Church of Holy Peace (Hagia Irene).