Kariye Mosque (Chora): world-famous Byzantine mosaics and frescoes
- Mosques
- Edirnekapı, Fatih
- Depends on the visitor
Family hotels closest to Kariye Mosque (Chora)
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 75 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 76 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
Visitor information
| Type | Byzantine church converted into a mosque (with mosaics and frescoes) |
|---|---|
| Built | Present building 11th–12th century; mosaics and frescoes 1315–1321 |
| Commissioned by / architect | The mosaics were commissioned by the Byzantine statesman Theodore Metochites |
| Neighbourhood | Edirnekapı, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Open to visitors outside prayer times; visiting hours for the mosaic sections are announced separately |
| Admission | Entry for worship is free; check current announcements for how visits to the mosaic and fresco sections work and what they cost |
| Time needed | 45 min – 1 hour |
| Getting there | T4 Edirnekapı stop, 10 min; 15–20 min by taxi from Sultanahmet |
| From Sultanahmet Square | 5.5 km; a long walk, public transport recommended |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable |
| Best time | In the morning, before the tour groups arrive |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
From Chora to Kariye
“Chora” means “countryside, outside the city” in Greek; the building was the church of a monastery that lay outside the city before the Theodosian walls were built. The present building took shape in the 11th–12th centuries; in the early 14th century the statesman and scholar Theodore Metochites restored the church and decorated its interior with mosaics and frescoes. In the reign of Bayezid II, Grand Vizier Atik Ali Pasha converted it into a mosque, and the name “Kariye” derives from the Greek name.
The mosaics and frescoes
The mosaics in the outer and inner narthex tell the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus scene by scene, while the frescoes in the side chapel (parekklesion) belong to the last great period of Byzantine painting. These works were made in the same years as the beginning of the Italian Renaissance and are regarded by art historians as the peak of Byzantine art.
How visits work since 2024
After a decision in 2020 and a long restoration, Kariye reopened for worship as a mosque in May 2024. In the prayer area, figurative scenes are covered with curtains and lighting during prayer times; the sections with the mosaics are open to visitors under set arrangements. Because hours and prices can change, we recommend checking the official announcements before you go.
Visiting tips
- The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Edirnekapı, the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus and the land walls are within 10 minutes; you can see them in the same half-day.
- Take a short walk among the restored wooden houses around Kariye.
Our family hotels near Kariye Mosque (Chora)
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 75 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 76 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 76 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Kariye Mosque (Chora): 76 min walk (5.3 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Is Kariye a museum or a mosque?
Kariye has been a mosque since 2024. It was used as a museum from 1945 until 2020; today it is visited as a mosque open for worship.
Can you see the mosaics in Kariye?
Yes. The sections with the mosaics and frescoes are open under set visiting arrangements. Figurative scenes may be covered during prayer times and in the prayer area.
