Monastery of Panagia Odigitria

The Monastery of the Hodegetria, also known as Panagia Odigitria, was located on the eastern slope of the Acropolis in the Manganas district, east of Hagia Sophia. It was a renowned pilgrimage center due to its holy spring and the icon of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria. The monastery was called Hodegon, meaning "guides," because the monks helped blind pilgrims reach the miraculous healing spring that could restore sight. According to a later legend, the monastery was founded by Pulcheria along with the churches of the Blachernae and Chalkoprateia, partly to preserve important artifacts and relics.