Chora Church (Kariye Müzesi)

Chora Church (Kariye Müzesi) - Fatih, Istanbul - Turkiye

The Turkish word Kariye is derived from the ancient Greek word Chora meaning outside of the city (land). It is known that there was a chapel outside of the city before the 5th century when the city walls were erected. The first Chora Church was rebuilt by Justinianus (527-565) in place of this chapel. In the era of Komnenoi, it served as the court chapel for important religious ceremonies, thanks to its nearness to the Palace of Blachernae.

The church was destroyed during the Latin invasion (1204-1261) and repaired in the reign of Andronikos II (1282-1328) by the Treasury Minister of the palace, Theodore Metochites (1313). It was expanded towards north, an exonarthex was added to its western side and a chapel (Parecclesion) to its southern side, and it was decorated with mosaics and frescoes.

The mosaics and frescoes in the Chora are the most beautiful examples dating from the last period of the Byzantine painting (14th century). The characteristic stylistic elements in those mosaics and frescoes are the depth, the movements and plastic values of figures and the elongation of figures.

After continuing to serve as a church following the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the building was converted into a mosque in 1511 by Vizier Hadim Ali Pasha. It was converted into a museum in 1945, and during the restoration in 1948-1959 carried out by the Byzantine Institute of America, the mosaics and frescoes were uncovered and brought to the daylight.
 

Admission and visiting hours
Summer Season (April-October)
Chora Museum is open from 09.00 and 19.00 during summer season. (Last admission at 18.00) from April 15th.

Winter Season (November-March)
Chore Museum is open from 09.00 and 17.00 during winter season. (Last admission at 16.30) from October 1st.

Chora Museum is closed on Wednesdays.

Visitors have to buy their tickets 1 hour before the museum closing time.

Admission Fee (Ticket)
15 TL.