Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)

As of April 2023 the church is under renovation and said to be converted into a mosque. Do a little research before your visit.

Cathedral, mosque x 2, museum—all describe this hidden gem in the Edirnekapi district. Chora Church gets its name from the Greek word Chora meaning outside the city. The original church was rebuilt by Justinianus in the 6th century and served as the court chapel due to its proximity to the Palace.

The church had to be rebuilt again during the reign of Andronikos II (1282-1328). It was at this time the mosaics and frescoes were added. Many think the art in the church is one of the best examples of Byzantine painting in the world. The interior is covered with mosaics depicting the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The church was converted into a mosque in 1511 and the mosaics and frescoes were covered with a layer of plaster to adhere to Islam law which does not allow figurative imagery. It was only in 1945, when the church was converted into a museum by the Turkish government and restored that the mosaics and frescoes were discovered.

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