Kariye Mosque

Chora Church or Cariye Mosque is closed due to full-scale restoration. First church here was built in IV century A.D. When defensive walls of Theidosius II, church was incorporated in these walls in 413-414 A.D. Today's church was mostly constructed in 1077-1081 when Maria Doukaina (10??-after 1095) the mother in law of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (1057-1118) rebuilt old church. After that, the church was rebuilt several times in the XIV century. Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans on May 29, 1453, and church was converted into the mosque in 1500, according to the order of Grand Vizier Hadim Ali Pasha (14??-1511). Famous mosaics were covered with the plaster and they survived till nowadays. Mosque became museum in 1945 and again mosque in 2020. Istanbul, 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇹🇷. May 2-November 5, 2023.

The newly restorated Kariye Mosque is a historical treasure and about to be opened in a months time - written 5Jan23

Definitely a highlight in our trip. Originally built as part of a monastery complex, this is one of the few remaining Byzantine churches in Istanbul. It really stands out for its many beautiful decorations in its interior.

Huge crowds, but worth the trek up and down the small streets.

Amazing ancient Church. The location is not big, but it has the best preserved ancient mosaics and wall paintings. Parts of the Church are on renovation, but there is enough to see. Highly recommend visiting this museum.

Beautiful, but I'm looking forward to the restoration being done. Restoration work has recently begun again so hopefully the end is in sight. Unfortunately the nicest parts are now closed and the main dome, which is missing its mosaics, is open.

It's a beautiful museum, definitely worth visiting. Be careful when you get the audio guide, it costs 15TL, however, the audio tracks and the number signs next to the exhibition don't match.

Amazing to think the mosaics and frescoes have survived all these years. The central section of the church was closed for restoration work when I visited.

I give 5 stars because of its mosaics inside which are absolutely incredibly made. The level of byzantine art can be seen at its real peak here. Inside you can find, like in an old church an amazing entry and some corridors with walls painted or decorated by real mosaics. The biggest downside is the fact that by the time I write this review the church (now a mosque/museum) is closed by half of it because of conservation and restauration issues. But you can see the entrance and the right side of the navy, which has the most important paintings and mosaics on it. PS. The timetable is modified, the museum is opened only starting with 1:00 pm (13:00 o'clock).

Impressive former Byzantine church & mosque, now a museum. The mosaics of the original church are incredibly well preserved, telling important stories from the Bible symbolically. Although not free, I highly recommend purchasing the audioguide from the ticket booth outside. There are about 12 chapters, about 2-4 min each, that explain the history, architecture, and significance of the mosaics.

Beautiful old Christian Church c. 300 a.d. the mosaics are stunning. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Istanbul. If you are staying in city center it can be accessed by public transport and is definitely worth the trip.

It's one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been to. It's definitely worth your while to pay the visit. The entrance isn't easy to find, though.

The mosque is currently under renovation and so no visitors are allowed but there's this lovely art school right across the street where you can meet local artists and purchase their work at reasonable rates.

Beautiful place; which must be protected. Do not turn that beautiful place into a mosque; there are enough of them.

The museum it is currently (winter 2019) under partial reconstruction, so it is quite small. The audio guide is a little boring, but does describe what is what. The place looks cool, the mosaics are preserved much better then in Hagia Sofia and have apocryphal plots which are very unique.

You will feel you have traveled back in time you will feel the chills while walking in this masterpiece! Don’t forget to rent a recorded guide. It’s a very small museum but worth visiting.

The finest examples of Byzantine mosaics that have remained to the present day are the ones found in the Chora Church (Chora Monastery). This building was used for a time as a mosque and was known as the Kariye Camisi. Following the Second World War the building was repaired and restored and opened as a museum. The walls and the domes of this structure are ornamented with mosaics. These pictures are very alive and they portray the lives of Jesus and Mary, the death of Mary.

The fresco of the Last Judgment belonging to this church is on exhibit at the Hagia Sophia. Many other examples of Byzantine architecture are still being used today. Some of these structures are the "Little" Hagia Sophia, The church of St. Irene, The Mescit of Sheik Suleyman, the Mescit of Sancaktar, the Pantocreator Monastery (Zeyrek Camii), the Monastery of Akaleptos (Kalanderhane Camii), the church of St. Tekla Atik.

(Mustafapasa Camii), The church of St. Theodosia (Gul Camii), The church of the Myrelaion Monastery (Bodrum Camii) and the church of the Lips Monastery (Fenari Isa Camii). The church of St. Euphemia the Martyr was built in the fifth century AD and is a circular building standing in Sultanahmet Square. The most unique feature of this building is its very interesting frescos.

One of these portrays the torture and death of Euphemia from Kadikoy who is believed to have been killed because of her religious beliefs. Most of the churches and monasteries of the Byzantine period were converted to mosques and this fact has actually helped these structure to survive for 1200-1500 years as they were thus kept in a state of repair.

A treasure of Byzantine art with a remarkable collection of exquisite mosaics. Partially closed for renovations but still more than worth the trip to this part of Istanbul.

İstanbul has more than its fair share of Byzantine monuments, but few are as drop-dead gorgeous as this mosaic-laden church. Nestled in the shadow of Theodosius II's monumental land walls and now a museum overseen by the curators of Aya Sofya, it receives a fraction of the
visitor numbers that its big sister attracts but offers an equally fascinating insight into Byzantine art.

The mosaics are great but definitely take a tour guide for listen to stories

Undergoing extensive restoration but still worth the trip. Go in off peak hours to avoid traffic - no good public transport options. If you like mosaics and frescoes Chora is peerless. Summer hours closing is at 6 PM. Have a meal at Asitane afterwards.