Chora Church (Kariye Museum)

The Chora Church, originally the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, is one of the most beautiful surviving examples of a Byzantine church. Located in the Edirnekapı district, it is renowned for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes, considered among the finest examples of Byzantine art globally. Built largely in the 11th-14th centuries, its interior is covered with detailed and vibrant biblical scenes depicting the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, offering a profound visual narrative of Christian scripture. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, it was converted into the Kariye Mosque in the 16th century, and later became a museum (Kariye Müzesi) in 1945, allowing its precious artworks to be uncovered and preserved. While its status has recently changed back to a mosque, efforts are typically made to protect and display its artistic heritage. A visit here is a journey into the heart of Byzantine artistic and religious expression.