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About

Kariye Mosque is a mosque, located at Dervişali, Kariye Cami Sk. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. They can be contacted via phone at +90 212 631 92 41, visit their website muze.gov.tr for more detailed information.

Location :
Dervişali, Kariye Cami Sk. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul
Added by Jopie, at 26 May 2016

Opening Hours

  • Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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28 Reviews

  • Timothy Pecsenye
    07 August 2020

    A little off the beaten path, but worth the effort. The Byzantine mosaics are amazing! World class mosaics, up close and personal. They even permit pictures, which is often not permitted in Istanbul museums. The murals and church building was undergoing restoration efforts.

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  • Hazem Rashwan
    06 August 2020

    I loved to see this place, it will take your breath, the way this mosaics have been done at this era, it’s fascinating, spare some time and visit this place for sure, get the audio guide, very lovely stories, I am very sad that 3 section were closed for restoration, recommended

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  • Alper Pirci
    03 August 2020

    When I visited the museum, some of the museum was in restoration, but the mosaics I could see were well-preserved and going to the museum was very easy.

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  • Jinn
    13 March 2020

    Amazing frescoes here. Well preserved there are in-house guides you can pay for. They will probably give u more guidance.
    Building itself is under restoration works, also this will become a msoque in the future so it be interesting to see what happens o the frescoes

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  • Terry Brougham
    03 March 2020

    Much of this church/museum is closed for restoration work and the ticket price has not been reduced. However, what was on show was amazing and well preserved. We had a museum pass and this site was included, so it didn't cost us extra and we enjoyed the journey and location as well.

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  • Nidal Khaja
    20 February 2020

    This small museum (church made in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian) has amazingly maintained vivid colorful frescoes and mosaics. Such a treat to the eyes. It is a small museum so you don’t need much time but since each mosaic has a biblical story, take it all in.

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  • Balazs Kiss
    18 February 2020

    About 30 minutes from the city centre. Nice place. Takes about 20 minutes to walk through. Nice art however need more description.

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  • Angele Licari
    11 January 2020

    I loved this place. The highlight of my trip. The mosaics give so much historic value. The shop seller was pleasant also. Maybe more seating is needed for those who can't stand much. Thanks.

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  • Z Shirra
    28 December 2019

    Only a small section of the museum was open when I visited but the entrance fee is not reduced. Also cheekily the rather unhelpful staff will let you rent the audio guide without explaining this. The mosaics are beautiful but you need a reasonably strong neck to look up for the length of time. Take your own guide (free from the internet).

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  • Ahmet Hakan Uzantı
    17 April 2018

    It is good actually. We were not allowed to see all of them due to restoration. We saw a little part of all. Nevertheless, I like this place which is a combination both Muslim and Christian religions

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  • Rupert Jackson
    24 March 2018

    Unfortunately half the museum is closed for repairs and renovations, so couldn't see it all. Other wise would be 5 stars. Stunning mosaics and interesting explanations of them.

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  • Polina Vayner
    14 March 2018

    One of the most memorable places we've visited on our 5 day trip to Istanbul. It is really a miracle this little place still stands. Come prepared: read up the history of Chora church or get a guide who can interpret the mosaics for you. You can get an audio guide at the ticket booth, but it is not very comprehensively informative (at least the English version of it).

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  • Mohamed Hemdan
    18 February 2018

    The museum is very great. It contains some of the best mosaic art drawings you would ever see. Unfortunately only very small part of the Church is open, the rest of the place is under Restoration, but you still would enjoy it.

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  • Niraj Kaji
    28 November 2017

    While the Mosaics inside are wonderful, at the time we went (November 2017) more than half the facility was under restoration. Museum is in odd location in a largely residential area. When our cabin dropped us off there I was actually concerned we were taken to the wrong place!

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  • Duy Bùi Lê
    21 November 2017

    Far from the old city. You need to take a bus and walk a bit to get to the museum. But majority of it is under restoration. There were only 3 rooms which you can see. Despite that the fee is still 30 TRY without any discount. It takes no less than 15 minutes for quite an effort. On the other hand, the museum doesn’t have any information desk/panel. You probably need a tour guide. Waste of time, effort and money

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  • Zoe Lindesay
    16 November 2017

    The main part of the church is closed at the moment (November 2017) but the inner and outer narthex are open and really worth a visit. Buy the booklet in the gift shop for 7 lira. Just as good as a guide.

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  • Putra Egam
    01 November 2017

    Exceptional tour especially for pilgrims and people interested in early Christianity history. The frescos and the painting are well preserved. Be advised durimg the winter the museum will be closed early at 17:00.

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  • Asiye Akcan
    07 October 2017

    I loved that place! Totally amazing. Restorations are still ongoing but every part of it smells history. You can see the details in everywhere. It tells the Jesus Christ's story generally but so much labor on it. Recommend!! I will come again after restorations over

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  • Joel Sparks
    27 September 2017

    Really stunning piece of history, but the exterior is covered with scaffolding and much of the inside is also closed. The tiled murals are really beautiful, but you probably want a guide to get the most from them. Included in müze Pass.

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  • Setanta Landers
    27 September 2017

    Incredible place. Recommend getting an audio guide for full experience. We arrived at 4 on a Wednesday and had the place to ourselves

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  • Lucia Faria
    05 September 2017

    It's a beautiful museum, definitely worth visiting. Be careful when you get the audio guide, it costs 15TL, however, the audio tracks and the number signs next to the exhibition don't match.

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  • Игорь Лоскутов
    17 August 2017

    Beautiful church museum. Got tricked by merchant inside. He knowingly packed me a merchandise with defects, purposely distracting my attention. I was quite tired and didn't look more closely, trusting that it's a museum shop and it should be fair.

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  • Mahdy Mohammed
    29 July 2017

    a forgotten historic church in istanbul. the colors still intact in many walls.
    Loved it

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  • Craig Smith
    21 January 2017

    The Chora Museum is definitely worth the trek out to Faith. The interiors which showcase the Christian origins. The mosaics are absolutely brilliant.

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  • Ersoy Balcı
    12 November 2016

    One of Istanbul's must-see attractions. Mary's mosaics, which are rarely seen in similar churches or museums of the world, increase this value even more. Moreover, it is an interesting place to visit and photograph, not only the museum but also the surrounding area.

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  • Satish Chandran
    23 September 2016

    Masterpiece style interiors. Fascinating stories attached to each of the creations. Most of this church is currently under wraps being restored. Entry fee applicable. Credit cards accepted.

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  • Andrei Procopie
    15 June 2016

    This museum is a little bit outside the main touristic area. It's essentially a church, with nice mosaics and a unique feel to it. Not worth a detour, in my opinion, even though it has a lot of history and it's a significant landmark. If you do go, there's a big ceramics shop right outside the museum (on your left as you walk out, 10 meters), definitely worth stepping in.

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  • Erdogan Aktas
    02 June 2016

    Kariye Museum originally formed the center of a Byzantine monastery complex. Only the church section, which was dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior, has survived. After the arrival of the Turks in Istanbul, this building, like the Hagia Sophia, was converted into a mosque. In 1948 it was made a museum leaving no Islamic element in the building except the 19C minaret outside in the corner.
    “Kariye” is the Turkish adaptation of an ancient Greek word “Chora” which refers to countryside. Considering the perimeter of the walls of Constantine (4C AD) the building was located out of the city. If this theory is correct Chora Monastery should have been from the 4C. But unfortunately according to sources, the existence of Chora Monastery before the 8C is not certain.

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