Overview:

Chora Church or the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is a Byzantine Greek Orthodox church surviving from the late Byzantine period. The church is now a museum. It is located in the Edirnekapı neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It was formerly known as the Church of the Holy Redeemer. The church was originally built outside the walls of Constantinople but was later encircled by the city's Theodosian walls. It was renovated in the 11th century and converted into a mosque in 1511. The interior of the building is decorated with some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. The church remains one of the most important examples of Byzantine art in the world. The building also houses several important works of Byzantine and Islamic art. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Byzantine art: Chora Church is one of the most important samples of Byzantine art in Turkey. The interior walls and ceilings of the church are decorated with intricately designed frescoes and mosaics that demonstrate the skill and creativity of the Byzantine artisans. 2. Architecture: The Church has a typical Byzantine cross-in-square plan, with four columns in the centre supporting a dome-like structure. Its exterior is adorned with simple yet beautiful geometric decorations. 3. Dome: The central dome of the church is the main focus and it stands 14 meters above the ground. It has a circular shape and there are twelve windows that fill the interior of the church with light. 4. Fresco designs: As mentioned above, Chora Church boasts of some fabulous frescoes and mosaics. One of the most distinctive aspects of these are that they primarily depict the life of Mary and Jesus, giving a unique perspective to its artistry. 5. Bell Tower: The exterior of Chora is completed by its bell tower which is an impressive double-story structure. It stands 26.5 meters high and boasts of many intricately designed decorations. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

The Chora Church, located in the Edirne District of Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the most important surviving Byzantine churches. Built in the mid-4th century, it was originally known as the Church of the Holy Savior, and later the Church of the Chora. Located near the Golden Horn and surrounded by the Theodosian walls, it was home to the wealthy and powerful of Istanbul. Over the centuries, the church has undergone extensive renovations and changes both religiously and structurally, transforming it from a Byzantine anthem into a full-fledged mosaic museum. Built by Justinian I in 532, it was originally intended to be a small shrine, but was later converted into a church in the reign of Emperor Theophilos. The building was then destroyed in 858 and was rebuilt over the course of 400 years in the late 11th and 12th centuries and was also renovated by the Palaiologos dynasty in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its surviving mosaic frescoes, which depict scenes from the Gospels and the life of the Virgin Mary, are some of the finest and oldest works of art in Istanbul. Notable frescoes include the Death of the Virgin, the Coronation of the Virgin, the Anastasis, and the Transfiguration of Christ. The Chora Church has been an important place of pilgrimage since its restoration in the 19th century and draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. Today, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Chora Church is located in the walls of Istanbul and was originally built as a Christian basilica by the founder of Constantinople, Constantine the Great, around 326 A.D. 2. It survived numerous earthquakes and was initially converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in 1511. 3. The interior of the church is decorated with some of the finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, dating from the 11th century. 4. It is also sometimes referred to as the Kariye Museum as it is now an archaeological museum, displaying some of the oldest surviving Byzantine works of art. 5. There are two stories inside the church. The naos or main church is located on the ground floor, while the exonarthex is located on the second floor. 6. The mosaics and frescoes inside the church are said to be some of the richest and finest examples of Byzantine art in the world. 7. The main dome of the church is decorated with an image of the transfiguration of Jesus, surrounded by the Deesis (Christ with hands in prayer surrounded by angels and the Virgin Mary). 8. Outside the church is a courtyard surrounded by gardens and fountain with a number of marble tombs. 9. In 2019, the church was chosen as one of the 100 most important sights of Istanbul by the Istanbul Metropolitan Government. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era