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Kariye Mosque

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark Mosque History museum

Museum of religious art on the site of a church that was first built here in the 6th century A.D. People often mention church, mosaics, museum, mosque, Church, restoration, Kariye, closed, Byzantine, building,


Address

Dervişali, Kariye Cami Sk. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Website

www.diyanet.gov.tr

Contact

+90 212 631 92 41

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (6.1K reviews)

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Working Hours

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (34) mosaics (33) museum (32) mosque (29) Church (24) restoration (20) Kariye (20) closed (19) Byzantine (18) building (18)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Amandine G. 4 months ago on Google • 109 reviews
    "renovation" according to Erdogan, means "being transformed into a mosque so I can get more votes from the extremists." (a minority of Turkish) I was lucky to visit this church in 2014 and it's the most beautiful byzantine church I have ever seen! Turkey has one of the richest history in the world (I visited 30 archeological sites in this country), this is thanks to all the civilisations and empires that have lived here. The Hittite gave us Hattusa, the Ottoman empire built beautiful mosques, the byzantine empire is only represented with three harmless churches in Istanbul, but all are being transformed into mosque. Shame on Erdogan for not respecting such beautiful and unique legacy
    118 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Oleg N. 10 months ago on Google • 1003 reviews
    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.
    40 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Katarina K. 11 months ago on Google
    Guys stop doing nonsence,stop spoiling all churches!!!People coming to İstanbul to watch art of past, especially which left from Bizantian times,Roman empire time.People standing hours to see all these priceless places.Mosque and church are both house of God,and no need to proove something by converting churches to mosques.Same as mosques mustn't be converted to churches. Let's respect each other!
    59 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jorge garcia r. 6 years ago on Google • 745 reviews
    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.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kunlaphak K. 4 years ago on Google • 519 reviews
    Would get a five-star if the restoration is finished as planned. I have learned from the website that the work would be over by late-April 2019. I went there yesterday, mid-May, and a large section on the right side was still closed for the restoration job. This is disappointing. The audio guide, a smart phone with audio files for different sections of the museum, is for rent at 15 lira. The one-time ticket costs 45 lira. Altogether 60 for one facade section, one interior section, and one hall inside. I think this is quite pricey, considering the closed sections. Some signs for the corresponding audio files could not be found. Toilets need more regular cleaning. I went straight from the airport to the museum in order to spend time before the check-in time of my hotel. No deposit service for the baggage though. Already paid, the staff at the entrance said i could not take my suitcase with me inside either. They said that was forbidden. A few awkward moments! Only when i turned to the manager, i was allowed to take it with me inside. Not a nice experience.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zübeyir Talha C. 11 months ago on Google
    Very beautiful church which is under restoration. The conversion of this church into a mosque in the 21th century is a shame. In my opinion the building should remain as a church, or at least be converted into a museum.
    38 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jinn 4 years ago on Google • 470 reviews
    Amazing frescoes here. Well preserved there are in-house guides you can pay for. They will probably give u more guidance. Building itself is under restoration works, also this will become a msoque in the future so it be interesting to see what happens o the frescoes
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nichola Z. 4 years ago on Google • 146 reviews
    Beautiful, unfortunately it is still undergoing work so areas are closed off (hence the 4 stars). It is quite nice they have small benches to be able to just sit and take it in. Even the parts where the tiles of mosaics are missing are intriguing as you can see the markings underneath they used as a template. Somewhere I would definitely revisit once all works are finished.
    21 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hamza A. 2 months ago on Google • 444 reviews New
    The newly restorated Kariye Mosque is a historical treasure and about to be opened in a months time - written 5Jan23
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Terry B. 4 years ago on Google • 127 reviews
    Much of this church/museum is closed for restoration work and the ticket price has not been reduced. However, what was on show was amazing and well preserved. We had a museum pass and this site was included, so it didn't cost us extra and we enjoyed the journey and location as well.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 ivos155 1 year ago on Google
    Still under reconstruction. Probably will open next year. Exterior is already finished. June 2022
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Joe T. 1 year ago on Google
    It would have been great to go inside, but it's closed for reconstruction
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Maxim M. 2 years ago on Google
    As of 5 October 2021 the site is closed for restoration. The building is shrouded in painted canvas. You can see nothing of the building.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Todd G. 2 months ago on Google • 22 reviews New
    It's a shame what has happened to this building. I feel lucky to have visited it when it was a museum. It's been closed for years now, who knows what they're doing to the frescoes inside.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mustafa Ilgaz D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The men come from thousands of kilometers away and travel with a guide, learning to the finest detail. If you do, refrain from seeing this magnificent structure at the bottom. No, sir, entrance is expensive. Yes, 54 TL. But the museum card costs 70 TL. You get a museum card, free year you toured all of Turkey. Admission is free for teachers and students. What is it? The fine mosaics and frescoes that you cannot see even in most European countries ... It is an incredible place in terms of showing the development of the last period of Roman painting. Yes, some of it is still under restoration, but you have a museum card. You will come in a year and travel when they are opened. AWARE (insta: mo.no.no.aware) (Original) Adamlar binlerce km uzaktan gelip, rehber eşliğinde en ince ayrıntısına kadar öğrenerek geziyor. Sen ise dibindeki bu muhteşem yapıyı görmekten imtina et. Yok efendim giriş pahalıymış. Evet 54 tl. Fakat müze kart 70 tl. Alırsın bir müze kart, yıl boyu tüm Türkiye’yi gezersin bedava. Öğretmenler ve öğrenciler için giriş ücretsiz. Ne mi var; çoğu avrupa ülkesinde dahi göremeyeceğin incelikte mozaik ve freskler... Roma resim sanatının son döneminin geldiği gelişmişliği göstermesi açısından inanılmaz bir yer. Evet bir bölümü halen restorasyonda, fakat müze kartın var. 1 yıl içinde gelir oraları da açılınca gezersin. AWARE (insta: mo.no.no.aware)
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Muhammad M. 3 years ago on Google
    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.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kondyuk D. 5 years ago on Google • 11 reviews
    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.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Ana L. 1 year ago on Google
    Still closed. There's a very cheap and nice eatery in front.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Makaveli M. 3 years ago on Google
    The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, known as Chora Church is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church, now converted as the Chora Museum in the Edirnekapı neighborhood of Istanbul. It is under restauration, but you can actually visit it (price is 55 TL in 2020)
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isabel B. 1 year ago on Google
    This is one of my favorite off-the-beaten-track spots. Used to be Chora church, it has amazing mosaics and is very old. I recommend visiting
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Timothy P. 3 years ago on Google
    A little off the beaten path, but worth the effort. The Byzantine mosaics are amazing! World class mosaics, up close and personal. They even permit pictures, which is often not permitted in Istanbul museums. The murals and church building was undergoing restoration efforts.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JR S. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing byzantine mosaics and frescoes unique in the world. The museum has been converted now into a mosque in 2020. At the moment you still pay an entrance fee but they haven’t covered the mosaics like in Hagia Sophia with curtains although that might happen soon as in November 2020 was officially opened for praying. In Oct 2020 when I visited the frescoes side were under renovation and they were preparing the whole place to be opened for prayer in November 2020. It is hard to follow some of the changes in Turkey’s heritage these days so better check in advanced to avoid disappointments as you may go to visit and find everything covered with curtains.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 The Old Mans Adventure C. 4 years ago on Google
    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.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jash R. 4 years ago on Google
    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.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nidal K. 4 years ago on Google
    This small museum (church made in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian) has amazingly maintained vivid colorful frescoes and mosaics. Such a treat to the eyes. It is a small museum so you don’t need much time but since each mosaic has a biblical story, take it all in.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hazem R. 3 years ago on Google
    I loved to see this place, it will take your breath, the way this mosaics have been done at this era, it’s fascinating, spare some time and visit this place for sure, get the audio guide, very lovely stories, I am very sad that 3 section were closed for restoration, recommended
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Backpacker _. 3 years ago on Google
    It's a rip-off! First of all, there is only 2 tiny rooms with hardly anything to see! And IF the mosaics are real, then they only go back to the 14th Century. I'd happily pay the huge fee if the mosaics were from like the 2nd century or something, but it's not. I was literally in there for 2 minutes. SAVE YOUR MONEY!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 AyşegülTut 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place that was converted into a mosque when it was a museum. As if our mosques are not enough. (Original) Müzeyken camiye dönüştürülen bir mekan. Sanki camilerimiz yetmiyor.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ali N. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We ask God for safety, wellness and safety for everyone. The Khora Church or Bottom Museum (Turkish: Kariye Müzesi) is a Byzantine church in Istanbul, which is considered one of the most beautiful surviving Byzantine monuments that have passed through several centuries. Which is located in the western part of Al-Fateh municipality. The museum was called the Church of the Holy Savior. From a Byzantine church that was turned into a mosque in the sixteenth century, and then into a museum called the (Kahia Museum) in the year 1948. Then it was converted into a mosque in the year 2020. The museum contains many paintings and mosaics, and the building is divided into three main sections: The entrance to the hall or nave, the main body of the church, and a side chapel, and the building has 6 domes. (Original) نسأل الله السلامة والعافية والآمان على الجميع. كنيسة خورا أو متحف قعرية (بالتركية: Kariye Müzesi)‏ هي كنيسة بيزنطية في إسطنبول، تُعتبر من أجمل الآثار البيزنطية الباقية والتي مرت بِعِدة عُصور. والتي تَقع بالجُزء الغربي من بلدية الفاتح. كان المتحف يسمى بكنيسة المخلص المقدس. ومن كنيسة بيزنطية تحولت إلى جامع في القرن السادس عشر، ومن بعدها إلى متحف سمي بمتحف (قعرية) في سنة 1948. ومن بعدها تم تحويلها إلى مسجد في سنة 2020. ويحتوي المتحف على الكثير من اللوحات الفنية والفسيفساء، وينقسم المبنى إلى ثلاثة أقسام رئيسية هي: مدخل القاعة أو صحن الكنيسة، الجسم الرئيسي للكنيسة، ومصلى جانبي، وللمبنى 6 قباب.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 World T. 3 years ago on Google
    Unfortunately closed due to renovations. I later found out that Erdogan has converted this to a mosque as well. No comments about this...
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Elena K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The monastery is closed for reconstruction on 06.01.20. It was not possible to get inside, the building itself is closed with scaffolding (Original) Монастырь закрыт на реконструкцию 06.01.20. Внутрь попасть не удалось, само строение закрыто строительными лесами
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Onur �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The importance of the Kariye Mosque increased during the Byzantine period. It survived major earthquakes without damage. After the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, it was captured by the Turks. It was converted into a mosque by the Grand Vizier Atik Ali Pasha 58 years after it was captured by the Turks. Since it is the person who transformed it into a mosque, its name has started to be known as "Atik Ali Pasha Mosque". The patterns of the interior walls were changed during the transformation. The originality of the structure was preserved during these processes. (Original) Kariye Camii'nin önemi Bizans döneminde artış göstermiştir. Büyük depremlerden hasar almadan kurtulmuştur. Fatih Sultan Mehmet'in İstanbul'u fethinden sonra Türklerin eline geçmiştir. Türklerin eline geçtikten 58 yıl sonra Sadrazam Atik Ali Paşa tarafından camiiye dönüştürülmüştür. Camiiye dönüştüren kişi olduğu için ismi "Atik Ali Paşa Camii" olarak da anılmaya başlamıştır. Dönüştürme sırasında iç duvarların desenlerinde değişiklikler yapılmıştır. Yapının orijinalliği bu işlemler sırasında korunmuştur.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Faideli V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We want to pray in it as soon as possible like Hagia Sophia Mosque Kebiri. You cannot take what is ours from us. All entrusted to Sultan Fatih (Original) En kısa zamanda Ayasofya Camii Kebiri gibi içerisinde namaz kılmayı istiyoruz. Bizim olanı bizden alamazsınız. Sultan Fatih'in emaneti hepsi
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Muaath A. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful but small place.. Outside still undre construction when visited Mar-2020, they said it will finish in 2021.. I don't regret the visit anyway..
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Balazs K. 4 years ago on Google
    About 30 minutes from the city centre. Nice place. Takes about 20 minutes to walk through. Nice art however need more description.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Z S. 4 years ago on Google
    Only a small section of the museum was open when I visited but the entrance fee is not reduced. Also cheekily the rather unhelpful staff will let you rent the audio guide without explaining this. The mosaics are beautiful but you need a reasonably strong neck to look up for the length of time. Take your own guide (free from the internet).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 HÜSEYİN DOĞAN T. 3 years ago on Google
    YA BEN BUNU CARİYE MÜZESİ OLARAK BİLİYORDUM MEĞERSE KARİYE İMİŞ
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Esra �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Kariye Museum, formerly known as the Saint Savior Hora Church, was formerly the Church. It is the museum located in the Edirnekapı section of the Karagümrük district in Istanbul. It is a historical building that was used as a church during the Byzantine period and as a mosque after the conquest, Kariye Museum. (Original) Kariye Müzesi, eski adıyla Azize Kurtarıcı Hora Kilisesi, yani eskiden Kliseydi. İstanbul'da Karagümrük semtinde Edirnekapı bölümünde bulunan müzedir. Bizans döneminde kilise, fetihten sonra ise cami olarak kullanılmış tarihi bir yapıdır, Kariye Müzesi.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Любовь �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) All closed! There is no way to visit the museum! (Original) Всё закрыто! Никакой возможности посетить музей нет!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 falah a. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is closed and under maintenance. I would not recommend visiting it further to make sure it is open (Original) انها مغلقة وتحت الصيانة لا انصح بزيارتها الابعد التاكد من انها مفتوحة
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Osman G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Still closed, still closed ... (Original) Hala kapalı, hala kapalı...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Andris K. 3 years ago on Google
    Closed for restoration!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Oksana S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I saw the photo - I really wanted to get there. But now it is under reconstruction or restructuring - it is not clear. They say they are being converted into a mosque. (Original) Видела фото - очень захотелось туда попасть. Но сейчас на реконструкции или перестройке - не понятно. Говорят переделывают под мечеть.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Thomas M. 4 years ago on Google
    Most parts of it are under renovation. It’s not worth the entry pass in its current state. Still a lot of beautiful mosaics and frescos that has to be seen.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 world f. 10 months ago on Google
    Highlight: Home to a famed collection of late-Byzantine-era frescoes and mosaics Chora means "country" in Greek, and this beautiful Church (originally called the Church of St. Saviour of Chora) lay just outside old Constantinople's city walls. The first Chora Church was probably built here in the 5th century, but what you see now is the building's 6th reconstruction as it was destroyed completely in the 9th century and went through several facelifts from the 11th to 14th centuries. The church was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and became a museum in 1945. In 2020, it reconverted into a working mosque. The monument is rightly world-famous for its fabulously vibrant 14th-century mosaics, preserved almost intact in the two narthexes and fragmentarily in the nave, and the frescos along the walls and domes. These incredible examples of Byzantine artistry cover a wide range of themes, from the genealogy of Christ to the New Testament stories.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Anton L. 3 years ago on Google
    it is two rooms with 4 pics in each room. 65 tl

  • 5/5 Özgür B. 3 years ago on Google
    One of the most well-preserved churches in Istanbul with amazing mosaics. Restoration continues, so some rooms are unavailable.

  • 4/5 Anton K. 4 years ago on Google
    Magnificent mosaics worth a look. The entry ticket is cheap. But keep in mind that the church itself is under reconstruction. So, some areas are not accessible. And also the exterior is behind the scaffolding.

  • 5/5 Do u kno da W. 3 years ago on Google
    Ivist it before

  • 5/5 Paul T. 3 years ago on Google
    Mosaic and frescoes are high quality and reflect western early rennasaince influences on late Byzantine sacred art.

  • 5/5 Mahmut T. 3 years ago on Google
    Mozaikler ve freskler görülmeye değer harika sanat eserleri olmaları yanında Hristiyanlık tarihi hakkında da önemli kesitler sunuyor. Restorasyon büyük ölçüde bitmiş gibi, yani Naos denen ana mekan tamamen açık.

  • 5/5 ULSON T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Mercenary (Original) Paralı

  • 2/5 Saša M. 3 years ago on Google
    This is very expencive ticket to see just some partly preserved mosaics. I would have skipped it if I knew better.

  • 2/5 Marta F. 3 years ago on Google
    65 lira por ver nada. Por ahora está gran parte en restauración. No aconsejo ir hasta que estén terminados los trabajos

  • 5/5 Jasmin K. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, pity it will be turned into a mosque, as if there isn't already 4 mosques in the neighbourhood that are not full anyways. Until it's available please visit it, the mosaics are some of the finest pieces of Byzantine culture you will find anywhere, rivalling the ones in Ravenna

  • 3/5 Ömer U. 3 years ago on Google
    Kariye Müzesi veya eskiden Azize Kurtarıcı Hora Kilisesi İstanbul'da Karagümrük semtinde Edirnekapı bölümünde bulunan müzedir. Bizans döneminde kilise, fetihten sonra ise cami olarak kullanılmış tarihi bir yapıdır.1945'te Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi hükûmeti tarafından müze yapılan Kariye, 2019 yılında Danıştay'ın adı geçen hükûmet kararını iptal etmesiyle yeniden cami haline geldi. Danıştay, bu kararında, "devlet, vakıfları muhafaza edebilir, onlara müdahale edemez," demektedir.

  • 5/5 Gina P. 3 years ago on Google
    Η Μονη της Χωρας η αλλιως Κariye camii ειναι ενα απο τα πιο αξιολογα μοναστηρια που λειτουργουσαν κατα την περιοδο της Βυζαντινης Αυτοκρατοριας. Εχει περιφημα ψηφιδωτα με τον Χριστο και την Παναγια . Απεικονιζει στιγμες της Γεννησης και της βαπτισης. Αξιζει η επισκεψη στον χωρο. Η Τουρκικη Κυβερνηση εχει αναλαβει την συντηρηση των θαυμασιων αυτων ψηφιδωτων.

  • 5/5 Metin T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) My place smells history. (Original) Buram buram tarih kokuyor.

  • 1/5 Helen H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A clean bunker: two meters of square old mosaics in a wreck under a canopy for 65lir and still shuffle along the slopes there. Better to go to the nearby mosque, I really liked it. (Original) Чистый разводняк: два метра квадратных старых мозаик в развалюхе под навесом за 65лир и ещё переться по уклонам туда. Лучше сходить в мечеть поблизости вот там очень понравилось.

  • 5/5 Алексей �. 3 years ago on Google
    Отличный аутентичный район, в котором находится потрясающая церковь.

  • 4/5 Bircan �. 3 years ago on Google
    Gezilebiliyor ama, tadilat devam ediyor .duvardaki freskler sizi yıllar öncesine götürüyor.Kariye Müzesi veya eskiden Azize Kurtarıcı Hora Kilisesi, İstanbul'da Karagümrük semtinde Edirnekapı bölümünde bulunan müzedir. Bizans döneminde kilise, fetihten sonra ise cami olarak kullanılmış tarihi bir yapıdır.

  • 4/5 Gursewak singh n. 3 years ago on Google
    The Chora Church was originally built as part of a monastery complex outside the walls of Constantinople, to the south of the Golden Horn. Literally translated, the church's full name was the Church of the Holy Saviour in the Country: although "The Church of the Holy Redeemer in the Fields" would be a more natural rendering of the name in English. (Greek ἡ Ἐκκλησία τοῦ Ἁγίου Σωτῆρος ἐν τῇ Χώρᾳ, hē Ekklēsia tou Hagiou Sōtēros en tēi Chōrai).[2] The last part of that name, Chora, referring to its location originally outside of the walls, became the shortened name of the church. The original church on this site was built in the early 4th century, and stood outside of the 4th century walls of Constantine the Great. However, when Theodosius II built his formidable land walls in 413–414, the church became incorporated within the city's defences, but retained the name Chora. The name must have carried symbolic meaning, as the mosaics in the narthex describe Christ as the Land of the Living and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the Container of the Uncontainable  The majority of the fabric of the current building dates from 1077–1081, when Maria Dukaina, the mother-in-law of Alexius I Comnenus, rebuilt the Chora Church as an inscribed cross or quincunx: a popular architectural style of the time. Early in the 12th century, the church suffered a partial collapse, perhaps due to an earthquake. The church was rebuilt by Isaac Comnenus, Alexius's third son. However, it was only after the third phase of building, two centuries after, that the church as it stands today was completed. The powerful Byzantine statesman Theodore Metochites endowed the church with many of its fine mosaics and frescos. Theodore's impressive decoration of the interior was carried out between 1315 and 1321. The mosaic-work is the finest example of the Palaeologian Renaissance. The artists remain unknown. In 1328, Theodore was sent into exile by the usurper Andronicus III Palaeologus. However, he was allowed to return to the city two years later, and lived out the last two years of his life as a monk in his Chora Church. In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, the monastery was home to the scholar Maximus Planudes, who was responsible for the restoration and reintroduction of Ptolemy's Geography to the Byzantines and, ultimately, to Renaissance Italy. During the last siege of Constantinople in 1453, the Icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria, considered the protector of the City, was brought to Chora in order to assist the defenders against the assault of the Ottomans. Around fifty years after the fall of the city to the Ottomans, Atık Ali Paşa, the Grand Vizier of Sultan Bayezid II, ordered the Chora Church to be converted into a mosque — Kariye Camii. The word Kariye derived from the Greek name Chora.Due to the prohibition against iconic images in Islam, the mosaics and frescoes were covered behind a layer of plaster. This and frequent earthquakes in the region have taken their toll on the artwork. In 1948, Americans Thomas Whittemore and Paul A. Underwood, from the Byzantine Institute of America and the Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies, sponsored a restoration program. From that time on, the building ceased to be a functioning mosque. In 1958, it was opened to the public as a museum — Kariye Müzesi. In 2005, the Association of Permanent Foundations and Service to Historical Artifacts and Environment filed a lawsuit to challenge the status of the Chora Church as a museum.In November 2019, the Turkish Council of State, Turkey's highest administrative court, ordered that it was to be reconverted to a mosque.

  • 5/5 nusret �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The mosaics here are really as good as they are described. This place is very good (Original) Buradaki mozaikler gerçekten anlatıldığı kadar iyi. This place is very good

  • 5/5 Ercan D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It was so good to see historical artifacts and excellent structures (Original) Tarihi eserleri ve mükemmel yapıları görmek çok iyi geldi

  • 5/5 Merve k. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you want to travel to the past, come here ... (Original) Eskiye yolculuk yapmak isterseniz buyurun...

  • 5/5 Melek T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A museum where you can see quality artifacts. (Original) Kaliteli eserler görebileceğiniz bir müze.

  • 4/5 travel-loving m. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Well preserved here Smaller than other places, but currently under construction, ,,,2020,8,5 (Original) 여긴 잘 보존되어 있다 다른곳에 비해 작지만 ,,,2020,8,5 현재공사중

  • 5/5 Elena V. 3 years ago on Google
    It is a true gem and must see.

  • 5/5 Fatma G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you want to rest your soul and make a nice journey to the past ... Here you are in the right place (Original) Ruhunuzu dinlendirmek ve eskiye dair güzel bir yolculuk yapmak istiyorsanız... İşte doğru yerdesiniz

  • 5/5 Kaan B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Definitely a place to see (Original) Kesinlikle görülmesi gereken bir yer

  • 5/5 иван �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place with magnificent mosaic icons. Gives an idea of ​​the splendor of the temples in Byzantium. We hope that becoming a mosque, the temple will not lose these icons, which deserve to be a world heritage. (Original) Место с великолепными мозаичными иконами. Дает представление о великолепии храмов в Византии. Надеемся что став мечетью храм не лишится этих икон, которые заслуживают быть мировым наследием.

  • 5/5 Alper P. 3 years ago on Google
    When I visited the museum, some of the museum was in restoration, but the mosaics I could see were well-preserved and going to the museum was very easy.

  • 5/5 ismail hakkı y. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Really beautiful architecture (Original) Gerçekten çok güzel bir mimari

  • 5/5 Anita S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A nice place. Mosaics, small in size, have been perfectly preserved. In August 2020, it is open to the public, but restoration work is underway. Ticket 27 liras, a museum card passes. (Original) Красивое место. Прекрасно сохранилась мозайки, небольшая по площади. В августе 2020 года открыт для посещения, но идут реставрационные работы.Билет 27 лир, проходит музейная карта.

  • 5/5 GÖKHAN S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It takes a very short time to visit, it is a historical place like Hagia Sophia, but it is a small place. You have to see it until the must-see Hagia Sophia. (Original) Çok kısa sürüyor gezmesi,ayasofya gibi tarihi bir yer fakat küçük bir yer. Gezilip görülmesi gerekli ayasofya kadar görmeniz gerekli.

  • 5/5 ilhan h. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Currently has restoration work (Original) Şuan restorasyon çalışmaları var

  • 5/5 Bariş �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A magnificent work to be seen before you die, super craftsmanship (Original) Ölmeden önce görülmesi gereken muhteşem bir eser süper işçilik

  • 5/5 Yılmaz G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Under the trees is a very peaceful place. (Original) Ağaçların altı çok huzur verici bir yer.

  • 5/5 Salim M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very cool .. the accuracy of the design, the beauty of the mosaics and the architecture I would recommend visiting it (Original) رائع جدا .. دقة في التصميم و جمال الفسيفساء و الهندسة المعمارية أنصح بزيارته

  • 5/5 Dor S. 3 years ago on Google
    Wow this architexture here is amacing how did people build this centuries ago? ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

  • 5/5 Özgür Y. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Mosques have always been museums (Original) Hep camiler müze yapılmış

  • 5/5 Aziz A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is your turn to meet prostheses, insha'Allah (Original) Secdelerle buluşma sırası sende inşAlllah

  • 3/5 razie t. 3 years ago on Google
    This building currently is under restoration, and it's partly open to see.

  • 2/5 Mike X. 3 years ago on Google
    Closed last Friday. Call a restaurant near there or something ahead of time to ask if they're open before you spend the time and effort to get here.

  • 5/5 Suzan B. 3 years ago on Google
    Mahalle olarak çok İstanbul tadinda, görülmesi gereken yerler listenize eklemelisiniz

  • 2/5 Svetlana B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The monastery is under restoration. (Original) Монастырь находится на реставрации.

  • 1/5 Mehmet T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The only reason I gave it a star was that it was closed when we went today, although Google was also stated to be open. Please correct your false information before the rush to star guides. Google nibs ........ Unfortunately, I am posting a photo that is not relevant in this region. (Original) Bir yıldız vermemin tek nedeni Google da açık diye belirtilmesi rağmen bugün gittiğimizde kapalıydı. Lütfen rehberlere yıldız verme telaşından önce yalan yanlış verdiğiniz bilgileri düzeltiniz Google hazretleri........ Bende ne yazık bu bölgede alakası olmayan bir fotoğraf yayınlıyorum.

  • 5/5 Muhammed �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It became a mosque, very good (Original) Camii oldu çok iyi

  • 5/5 Mustafa B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We want to pray (Original) Namaz kılmak istiyoruz

  • 5/5 onur d. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The renovation could last until the end of 2021. Renovation too. (Original) Tadilat 2021 sonuna kadar surebilirmis. Tadilat da.

  • 5/5 İrfan A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A great place (Original) Harika bir yer

  • 5/5 Hilal M. 3 years ago on Google
    😎

  • 5/5 Karamanlıca Arsiv Calismalari G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is an incredible Roman church. It is a fantastic Roman Church. Roman is Byzantine. It is not Papish Church. (Original) Είναι μια απίστευτη Ρωμαϊκή εκκλησία. It is a fantastic Roman Church. Roman is Byzantine. It is not Papish Church.

  • 4/5 domino T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A splendor. Byzantine church with breathtaking mosaics. An apocryphal gospel which makes you understand many things. And next door, an incredible restaurant offering a choice of dishes with exceptional flavors. Ottoman cuisine with ancient recipes, it's just amazing. Try the rose flavored rice. (Original) Une splendeur. Église byzantine avec des mosaïques à vous couper le souffle. Un évangile apocryphe qui vous fait comprendre bien des choses. Et juste à côté, un restaurant incroyable où il est proposé un choix de mets aux saveurs exceptionnelles. Une cuisine ottomane aux anciennes recettes, c'est juste incroyable. Essayez le riz parfumé à la rose.

  • 5/5 Ümit D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is always nice to witness the history 👍🏻 (Original) Tarihe taniklik etmek her zaman guzel 👍🏻

  • 5/5 Ümit K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a great historical place and beautiful mosque place spirituality. (Original) Büyük tarihi bir yer ve Güzel Camii mekanı ruhaniyeti çok güzel.

  • 5/5 Pınar C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Edirne is the historical place at the door, very close to the Mihrima sultan mosque. (Original) Edirne kapıda , Mihrima sultan camine çok yakın olan tarihi mekan.

  • 5/5 Valeria Z. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Closed 😏 (Original) Закрыт 😏

  • 5/5 Nuh �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Kariye Mosque (Ottoman Turkish: قري جامع شريفى) or formerly St. museum. Located in Edirnekapı district, about a hundred meters from the still standing Theodosius Walls, the building was the center of the Khoara Monastery, which was a large building group during the Eastern Roman Empire. It continued to function as a church for fifty-eight years after the Conquest of Istanbul. Famous for its mosaics, the church began to be used as a mosque in 1511. The building, which was declared a national monument in 1945, was turned into a museum in 1948 under the Council of Ministers' decision. one of Turkey's most visited museum, which [2] [3] Kariya, the State Council's decision in 2019 cancellation of the re-converted into a mosque and published in the Official Gazette on August 21, 2020 by Presidential Decree was opened to Muslim worship. (Original) Kariye Camii (Osmanlı Türkçesi: قري جامع شريفى) veya eskiden Azize Kurtarıcı Hora Kilisesi (Yunanca: Ἐκκλησία τοῦ Ἁγίου Σωτῆρος ἐν τῇ Χώρᾳ), İstanbul'un Fatih ilçesinin Edirnekapı semtinde yer alan bir cami, eski Orta Çağ Rum Ortodoks kilisesi[1] ve müze. Edirnekapı semtinde, halen ayakta duran Theodosius Surları'na yaklaşık yüz metre uzaklıkta bulunan yapı, Doğu Roma İmparatorluğu döneminde büyük bir yapı topluluğu olan Khoara Manastırı'nın merkezini oluşturmaktaydı. İstanbul'un Fethi'nden sonra elli sekiz yıl daha kilise olarak işlevini sürdü. Mozaikleri ile ünlü kilise, 1511'de cami olarak kullanılmaya başladı. 1945'te ulusal anıt ilan edilen yapı, Bakanlar Kurulu kararı ile 1948 yılında Müzeler İdaresi’ne bağlı bir müze haline getirildi. Türkiye'nin en çok ziyaret edilen müzelerinden birisi olan[2][3] Kariye, 2019 yılında Danıştay'ın kararı iptaliyle yeniden camiye dönüştürülmüş ve 21 Ağustos 2020 tarihinde Resmi Gazete'de yayımlanan Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kararnamesi ile de Müslüman ibadetine açılmıştır.

  • 5/5 Selim K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A beautiful snapshot of history (Original) Tarihten güzel bir kesit

  • 4/5 Güllü V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful (Original) Güzel

  • 5/5 Fatih K. 3 years ago on Google
    👍👍👍

  • 5/5 Rabeya A. 3 years ago on Google
    😲😲😲

  • 5/5 ihsan a. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) excellent (Original) mükemmel

  • 5/5 Xxnools 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A magnificent building. (Original) Muhteşem bir yapı.

  • 5/5 Eda h. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I think Istanbul is one of the most "museums" to learn from. (Original) İstanbulun öğrenileceği bence" müzelerin" enlerinden biri.

  • 5/5 mega 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) fresh frescoes (Original) freshe fresken

  • 3/5 Muharrem D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The content of the building itself was not shared, as it provided a limited impression. Two 180-degree photos were shared from Kariye Türbesi street, which is the closest to the location. (Original) Kısıtlı izlenim sağlandığı için yapının kendisine yönelik içerik paylaşılmadı. Konuma en yakın olan Kariye Türbesi sokağından 180 derecelik 2 fotoğraf paylaşıldı.

  • 5/5 Guddu Car R. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice mosque istanbul

  • 5/5 necdet t. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Congratulations very nice (Original) Tebrikler cok güzel

  • 1/5 Birol Y. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Maintenance care Restoration restoration He is always off ... Pity... (Original) Bakım bakım Restorasyon restorasyon Diye diye her zaman kapalı... Yazık...

  • 4/5 Sylvatica C. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place, but then again, got to take points off for grammar. Istanbul clearly was spelled with a lower case "i". People I asked says It's dialect, but I beg to differ


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