Istanbul Chora Church

Chora Church Informations

Kariye, the ancient Greek urban (rural area) in the sense of the word Khora emerged with the name of the Turkish. Mosaics and frescoes in the Kariye Museum, XIV. century, the most beautiful examples. In the outer narthex, there are mosaics describing the life of Jesus and the life of Mary in the inner narthex. The idea of depth in the mosaics and the moving style in the figures have a superior artistic value that informs the Renaissance period in the Middle Ages.

During the conversion of the church into a mosque, no fresco in the church was damaged, but only covered with plaster. For this reason, with the restoration works that started in 1948, these frescoes were able to reach almost as the first day. The museum opened its doors to its guests in 1954 and has had a unique place among the memories of many local and foreign people.

Secrets of the Chora Museum

1. The marble slab on the side wall of the museum called “Apsis” is astonishing today. The marble slab has a marine life that lived millions of years ago! The formation of fossils in marble is very rare.

2. The Kariye Museum, which is used as the covering of the marbles brought from Egypt and Thessaly, is another focus of interest.

3. In the mosaic of the wedding scene at the first entrance hall of the Kariye Museum, a figure with a Arabic figure stands out above a figure carrying a jug. This history, found in a Christian temple, draws the attention of the historians and researchers while attracting the attention of the viewers.

4. The third secret of the museum is the black figured mosaics. In the section called “chapel”, the use of black color in the figures of the two mosaics is surprising the researchers. Because the figures in black suits are only beginning to be seen in Christian art in the 16th century. The mosaics in Kariye are dated to the 13th century. Therefore, the Kariye Museum raises questions to researchers about where the Renaissance sparks first emerged.

Chora Church Entrance Fee and Opening Hours 2026

Chora Museum Visiting Hours
The museum is open every day of the week;
Visiting Hours (Summer): 9: 00-19: 00
Visiting Hours (Winter): 9: 00-16: 30

Entrance fees to the Chora Museum;
The entrance fee is 30 TL, the museum card is valid.