Brief History:

Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church) is a former Eastern Orthodox church in Istanbul, Turkey. It was originally built by the Byzantines in the 12th Century as the Church of Christ Pantocrator and was later converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th Century. The mosque is named after the Zeyrek (or Zeyrekli) family, who founded and maintained it during the Ottoman period. The building has an interesting hybrid design, and is one of the two most important examples of Byzantine architecture in the city. The mosque is now a museum and is open for visitors. It is one of the most famous mosque in Turkey which you must visit.

Architecture:

Zeyrek Mosque, also known as the Pantocrator Church, is located in the district of Fatih in Istanbul, Turkey. It is an example of the transition from Byzantine architecture to Ottoman architecture as it is composed of two churches, a monastery, and an inn. The building was originally composed of a church, a monastery, and an inn. The main structure is the basilica church, which was built in the 11th century during the Byzantine era. It had three apses with a narthex and a central dome. The central dome is supported by four huge free standing pilasters. The ceiling of the apse trefoil shape and the half-domes have three openings that surround the central part. The second part of the complex is the monastery, which is connected to the church by a small arched bridge. This was also built in the 11th century during the Byzantine era and it was originally connected to an older hospital. The last part of the complex is the inn, which was added by the Ottomans in the 16th century. This is located on the south side of the complex and it is made up of one storey covered with a colonnaded porch. Overall, Zeyrek Mosque is an important example of the transition from Byzantine architecture to Ottoman architecture, and it is a great representation of the rich history of Istanbul. This is why, it is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in the world.

Travel Information:

Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church) is located in Istanbul, Turkey. Travel by Plane If you are looking to fly to Istanbul, the Ataturk International Airport (IST) is approximately 20 km away from Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church). Travel by Bus The closest bus station to Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church) is the Zeyrek Mosque Bus Station. It is located 500 m away and served by various bus lines throughout Istanbul. Travel by Car If you are travelling by car to Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church), the nearest major highway is the TEM (Trans-European Motorway), located roughly 6 km away. There is local and limited parking available in the Zeyrek Mosque area. Travel by Boat The closest harbour to Zeyrek Mosque (Pantocrator Church) is the Kabatas Pier. It is approximately 1 km away and serves several ferries daily. It is also accessible by local buses and trams. beautiful masjid.