Kariye Mosque
Kariye Mosque is a church building dedicated to Jesus, forming the center of the Chora Monastery, which was a large building complex during the Eastern Roman Empire. Since it is located outside the walls of Istanbul (Constantinos), the name Khora, which means outside the city, rural area in Greek, was deemed appropriate for the building. Kariye is the Turkish version of this name.
Although the exact construction date of the building cannot be estimated, it is known that it was rebuilt in the 6th century by Emperor Justiniaus (527-565) on the site of a ruined chapel outside the city. Since it was located near the Blackhernal Palace during the Kommenos Period, the church was used as the palace chapel in important religious ceremonies.
The building, which disappeared after the monastery structures other than the church were demolished over time, attracts attention with its architecture, mosaics and frescoes in Eastern Roman art.
The museum was converted into a mosque by Presidential Decree No. 2840 dated 20 August 2020.Source Türkiye Culture Portal History of Istanbul