Audio GuideKariye Mosque

At the heart of Istanbul, away from the city’s hustle, stands Kariye Camii—a building that weaves together more than sixteen centuries of faith, art, and culture. Once known as the Chora Church, it began as a small sanctuary in the early years of Christianity, back in the fourth century, outside the ancient city walls of Constantinople. When new city walls appeared in the fifth century, the church found itself within the growing city, but its original name, meaning “in the country” in Greek, remained.

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The building you see today took shape first in the eleventh century, when powerful women like Maria Doukaina helped rebuild it in the popular cross-in-square Byzantine style. After an earthquake in the twelfth century, the church was repaired, and later, in the fourteenth century, it flourished under the guidance of a nobleman named Theodore Metochites. He filled the church with breathtaking mosaics and frescoes—gleaming gold, deep blues, and reds—depicting stories from Christian tradition, like the birth of Jesus, the life of Mary, and vivid scenes of the resurrection. These artworks reflect a society searching for hope at the twilight of the Byzantine era, blending spiritual symbolism and emotional scenes rarely seen elsewhere.

Gert Brussaard

Chora’s design stands apart from Istanbul’s larger monuments. Its six domes, intimate spaces, and walls thick with sacred images create a sense of layered history—each corridor revealing new wonders, from the rich entrance hall to the quiet chapel where the dead were honored.

jesu gaur

Through the centuries, Kariye served as a church, then was converted into a mosque after the Ottomans arrived in the fifteenth century, with its Christian art carefully covered, not destroyed. In the mid-twentieth century, when it was declared a museum, experts painstakingly uncovered these treasures, allowing the world to witness some of the finest late Byzantine art. This restoration saved invaluable stories and colors that might have faded forever.

Mauro Silva

In recent years, debates have arisen as the building returned to use as a mosque. These discussions highlight the challenges of honoring spiritual needs while preserving universal heritage. Despite change, Kariye’s doors remain open to all—from art lovers and worshippers to curious travelers. Compared to grand landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Kariye feels more personal, yet stands as a testament to the endurance of Istanbul’s layered history and world-changing creativity.