Istanbul · Golden Horn: Balat and Chora
Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)
A Byzantine church known for its mosaics and frescoes, reopened in May 2024 as a mosque. It sits near the old city walls, away from the centre.
- 45 min
- Adult ticket: not confirmed
- Booking: not needed
- Golden Horn: Balat and Chora
Data checked on November 2, 2026
The church was decorated in the 14th century with mosaics on the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and with the Anastasis fresco in the side chapel. The images were hidden under plaster after 1453 and came to light again when the building became a museum. It was converted back to a mosque in 2021 and reopened on 6 May 2024 after restoration.
What to look for
- Mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary
- The Anastasis fresco in the side chapel
- The genealogy mosaics
Opening hours
Hours not confirmed. Check the official site.
No opening hours or ticket rules for visitors were confirmed on an official page. As a working mosque it follows prayer times, so check before the trip.
Source: GoTürkiye (Ministry of Culture and Tourism), checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket: not confirmed. The entry fee and any rules for foreign visitors were not confirmed, so check on the day.
Getting there
Reach it by bus or taxi from the centre; it is a long walk from Sultanahmet.
Tip
Combine it with Balat, since it is far from Sultanahmet, and check that the interior is open to visitors before going.