Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Turkey  /  Istanbul  /  Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)

Kariye Museum (The Chora Church), Istanbul

4.4

#3 of 101 in Museums in Istanbul

Art Museum History Museum

• ©
• ©
• ©
• © +7

See one of the best examples of Byzantine design in the region with a trip to Kariye Museum (The Chora Church), whose interior is entirely covered in fine mosaics and frescoes. Originally built by Constantine the Great, this church has been reconstructed five times. Most significantly, Ottoman rulers converted the structure into a mosque in the 16th century. A bit off the beaten path, you have to travel to Istanbul's Western Erdinekapı neighborhood to find this building, which opened as a secular museum in 1948. However, the masterful and aesthetically stunning interior makes this trip worthwhile. Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Kariye Museum (The Chora Church) by using our Istanbul online trip itinerary maker .

more less

Create an itinerary including Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)

Start planning

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Kariye Museum (The Chora Church) Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5,888 reviews

Google

4.4

• By Buyer333

  Do NOT miss this place. To describe the mosaics are amazing is an understatement. Of course, there are some depictions that may not be aligned with Roman Catholicism but if they're truths to some peop...  more »

• By Albert L

  The place is quite small, there are lots of very interesting mosaics but a real lack of detailed explanation about each one. It would have been much better if there was some information about each one...  more »

View more on TripAdvisor »

Google

• By Pognee Kim

  Amazing and beautiful mosaics. It is small however, and you are most likely going out of your way to come here. It is in a residential area. Ask yourself if you are willing to make the trip here. Luckily, there is a castle nearby to make it worth the trip.

  more less
• By Stephen Heinemeier

  I can't really recommend this location - yet. There are some very beautiful mosiacs; this is the positive. Unfortunately, there is no information available: no pamphlet and no exhibit markers - in Turkish or English. Visitors also cannot see the exterior of the building, it is both roofed and covered with hangings. As a relatively isolated site, it best accessed by taxi or with a guide. I'm sure it will be well worth a visit after restoration is complete but this appears months, perhaps years from completion.

  more less

View more on Google »

Places to stay near Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)

Plan your trip to Istanbul

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels
  and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.