The Basilica of the Apostles (Polyandreion) in Constantinople was the "magnificent and wondrous" cruciform church built by Constantine the Great, which was described by Eusebius of Caesarea, who mentioned porticoes along the four sides and walls faced with marble up to the gilded roof. The church was rebuilt with a central dome surrounded by four subsidiary domes by Justinian and Theodora and was reconsecrated June 28, 550. Procopius and other historians and travellers also described it. In the 10th century Constantine of Rhodes composed a Description of the building of the Apostles in verse, which he dedicated to Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.
The basilica contained relics of Apostles Andrew, Luke and Timothy.
The Basilica was looted by the crusaders in 1204 and some precious objects from its treasury have been retained in the St Mark's Basilica, Venice. The Florentine Cristoforo Buondelmonti saw the dilapidated church in 1420, some years before the Fall of Constantinople.
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