Hodegon Monastery

[4] The Hodegon Monastery is believed to be named after the term hodegoi, which referred to the guides who led the blind toward the miraculous well within the structure.

[5] Tradition states that the monastery held the Icon of the Hodegetria, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke.

[2] While it was at Hodegon, Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo described it sometime in 1403 to 1406 as a painting with a square panel that was covered with precious stones such as emeralds, sapphires, topaz, and pearls.

[7] The name of the icon, Panagia Hodegetria ("She who shows the Way"), is given through the legend which tells that nearby the church of the monastery was a source where the blind and all who suffered eye disorders came to be healed, since the Holy Virgin would have appeared to two blind people and guided them here where she restored their vision.

The sanctuary was rebuilt by Emperor Michael III (842–867) but today only a few ruins are visible near Gülhane Park.