Chora Church

Entrance Fee : 65 Turkish Lira

Visiting Hours :
Winter Schedule » 31 Oct – 1 Apr | 09:00 – 16:00
Summer Schedule » 1 Apr – 31 Oct | 09:00 – 18:00

Check for praying times

Address : Kariye Mahallesi, Kariye Camii Sokak No.18 Fatih, Istanbul

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Notes for visitors

Visitors should remove their shoes before stepping onto the mosque’s carpets. Women should wear a head covering when entering to the Chora Museum. Photography is allowed.

Masterpiece Of The History Of Architecture

Part of a monastery which dates back to the 6th century, the Chora Mosque (formerly Church-Museum), Kariye in Turkish, is one of the most impressive historical sites in Istanbul. Chora houses very beautiful examples of Byzantine mosaics and frescos. “Chora” means “Rural Area” in Greek. According to the record, there had been a chapel outside the ramparts of the area. The first Chora Church was built in the 6th century in the era of Justinianos (527-565), and instead of this chapel. Chora Church was used as the court chapel for the religious ceremonies during the Komnenos era.