# Chora Church (Kariye Mosque), Istanbul

> The finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in Istanbul, from the 1310s–1320s, in a small church by the old land walls. Since May 2024 it has been the working Kariye Mosque: foreign visitors pay €20, and Fridays are worshippers-only. The narthex mosaics and the side-chapel frescoes are on view; the prayer hall's three figural mosaics are curtained. It's a 15–20 minute uphill walk from Balat. Allow 45 minutes.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church

- City: [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul), Turkey
- YesGo score: 42/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 45 min
- Opening hours: Saturday–Thursday, 9:00–18:00, paused for prayers; Friday worshippers only
- With kids: Better without small kids
- Ticket (foreign visitors): €20, paid at the gate
- Free: Turkish citizens and anyone coming to pray
- Children: 8 and under free
- Museum Pass: Not valid — it's a mosque, not a museum
- Visiting hours: 9:00–18:00, ticket office until 17:55
- Friday: Closed to tourists all day
- Prayer times: Entry stops 15 minutes before each prayer
- Dress code: No shorts; headscarf for women — covers sold at the ticket office
- Photos: Allowed for personal use; no flash or extra lighting
- Getting there: T5 tram to Balat or Ayvansaray, then 15–20 min uphill on foot
- Address: Kariye Camii Sk. 18, Edirnekapı, Fatih
- Coordinates: 41.03121, 28.93895
- Facts checked: 29.10.2026

## Key facts

- **1321** — Theodore Metochites finished rebuilding the church — the mosaics and frescoes you see date from then (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Russian Wikipedia (work 1315–1321))
- **6 May 2024** — reopened as the Kariye Mosque after restoration (source: English Wikipedia; Küre Ansiklopedisi)
- **Anastasis** — the side chapel's great fresco: Christ pulling Adam and Eve from their tombs (source: English Wikipedia; Russian Wikipedia)
- **“Chora”** — Greek for “country” — the monastery stood outside the early city walls; “Kariye” is the Turkish form (source: English Wikipedia; Russian Wikipedia)
- **1077–1081** — rebuilt by Maria Doukaina, mother-in-law of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Metochites** — kneels in the mosaic above the door to the nave, offering the church to Christ (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English Wikipedia)
- **Isaac Komnenos** — son of Alexios I, restored the church in the 12th century; his portrait is in the inner-narthex Deësis (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; Russian Wikipedia)
- **1511** — Grand Vizier Atik (Hadım) Ali Pasha turned it into a mosque under Bayezid II; the images were plastered over (source: Russian Wikipedia; TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (vizier, no year))
- **1945** — made a museum by Turkish government decree (source: English Wikipedia; Küre Ansiklopedisi)
- **1948** — the Byzantine Institute of America (Thomas Whittemore, then Paul Underwood) began uncovering the mosaics (source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam; English Wikipedia)
- **August 2020** — a presidential decree turned the museum back into a mosque (source: English Wikipedia; Russian Wikipedia)

## Chora Church tickets and entrance fee

Foreign visitors pay **€20**, the fee Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced in August 2024. Turkish citizens and anyone coming to pray enter free. The Museum Pass Istanbul isn't valid here.

Pay at the ticket office by the garden gate — there's nothing to book in advance. Audio guides, body covers and headscarves are sold there too; bring your own earphones for the QR audio guide.

We found no official 2026 tariff on the Directorate General of Foundations' site, and Turkish sight prices are usually revised in January, so treat the fee as “verifying”.

> **Closed to tourists on Fridays** Friday is congregational prayer day and the mosque is for worshippers only. On other days entry stops 15 minutes before each of the five prayers and resumes when the prayer ends. Come in the morning, before the midday prayer, to avoid waiting at the door.

## Opening hours

Tourists are admitted **9:00–18:00, Saturday to Thursday**, with the ticket office closing at 17:55. Older guides list 9:00–16:30 and a Tuesday closure — that was the museum timetable before 2020.

## Prayer times today — when visitors can't enter

Prayer times follow the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). Tourist entry stops 15 minutes before a prayer starts and reopens once it ends.

Today's prayer times are on the web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church

## Can you still see the Chora mosaics?

Yes — almost all of them. The outer and inner narthexes, where most of the mosaics are, and the side chapel with its frescoes are on the visitor route. Only the nave is now a carpeted prayer hall, and its three figural mosaics — the Dormition above the door and Christ and the Virgin by the pulpit — are hidden behind curtains.

## What to see

- **Outer narthex** — the life and miracles of Christ, scene after scene across the vaults. Look up.
- **Inner narthex** — the life of the Virgin and two domes of Christ's ancestors. Above the door to the nave, Metochites in his huge hat offers the church to Christ.
- The **Deësis** in the inner narthex, with the portrait of Isaac Komnenos — one of the largest mosaics in the building.
- **Parekklesion (side chapel)** — frescoes from around 1320, with the Anastasis in the apse and the Last Judgement in the vault.
- **The nave** — now the prayer hall: shoes off, curtained mosaics, marble panelling still on the walls.

## Is Chora Church worth it?

If you care about Byzantine art, absolutely: nowhere else in Istanbul has this many 14th-century mosaics, and here they're a few metres above your head rather than across a gallery as in [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia).

If mosaics aren't your thing, €20 for 45 minutes plus a 30–40 minute trip from Sultanahmet is a lot. Spend the time wandering [Balat](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) instead — it's free and just downhill.

## How to get to Chora Church from Sultanahmet

1. Take tram T1 to Eminönü and change to the **T5** tram along the Golden Horn.
2. Get off at Balat or Ayvansaray — about 15 minutes.
3. Walk uphill towards Edirnekapı — 15–20 minutes through steep lanes.
4. Alternative: T1 to Topkapı, change to T4 for Edirnekapı, then walk 10–15 minutes. A taxi from Sultanahmet takes 15–20 minutes without traffic.
5. The visitor entrance is from Kariye Türbesi Sokak: through the garden security check to the door on the south side.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] It isn't Friday
- [ ] Checked prayer times and fit the visit between them
- [ ] Long trousers or skirt, no shorts
- [ ] Headscarf, for women
- [ ] €20 for the ticket
- [ ] Earphones for the audio guide
- [ ] Good shoes — it's uphill

## Chora Church vs Hagia Sophia for mosaics

|  | Chora (Kariye) | Hagia Sophia |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mosaics | 14th century, dozens of scenes | 9th–12th century, individual panels |
| How you see them | Overhead, up close | From the upper gallery |
| Foreign visitor ticket | €20 | ≈ €25 |
| Friday | Closed to tourists | Avoid midday |
| Time needed | 45 min | 1–1.5 h |
| Crowds | Light | Very busy |
| Where | By the land walls, above Balat | Sultanahmet |

Everyone sees Hagia Sophia. Chora is for those who want to actually read Byzantine art — more stories, closer to your eyes.

## Istanbul's historic sights compared

Every historic sight in Istanbul rated by YesGo.

- [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25
- [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
- [Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hippodrome) — YesGo score 77/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free
- [Basilica Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/basilica-cistern) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ 1,950–2,250 TL
- [Topkapı Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · 2,750 TL with the Harem
- [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Little Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/little-hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Valens Aqueduct](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/valens-aqueduct) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
- [New Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Chora Church](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €20
- [Taksim Square](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/taksim-square) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
- [Museum of Innocence](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/museum-of-innocence) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 800 TL
- [Karaköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/karakoy) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Theodosius Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/theodosius-cistern) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · 900 TL
- [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
- [Istanbul Archaeology Museums](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/archaeology-museums) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · €15
- [Yıldız Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/yildiz-palace) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 900 TL
- [Miniatürk](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/miniaturk) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 900 TL
- [Rahmi M. Koç Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rahmi-koc-museum) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · 550 TL
- [Rumelihisarı](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rumeli-fortress) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · €6

## Chora and Balat in half a day

Fatih Mosque, the Chora mosaics, downhill through Balat's colourful streets, then the T5 to Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar.

1. [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
2. [Chora Church](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €20
3. [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
4. [Spice Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/spice-bazaar) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free

> **The land walls are next door** A few minutes away are the 5th-century Theodosian Walls at Edirnekapı and the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque. From here it's an easy downhill walk to Balat.

## Good to know

Chora Church, the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, the Kariye Museum and the Kariye Mosque are all the same building. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque at Edirnekapı is a different one nearby.

## Tips

- Don't plan Chora for a Friday — tourists aren't let in.
- Do Chora first and walk down to Balat afterwards: downhill is easier.
- Bring earphones — the audio guide plays on your own phone via a QR code.
- Look up at the narthex vaults, not just the walls: the best scenes are overhead.
- The side-chapel frescoes look best in daylight, when sun comes through the windows.

## Questions

### How much is the Chora Church entrance fee?

€20 for foreign visitors. Turkish citizens and worshippers enter free. The Museum Pass isn't valid.

### What are Chora Church opening hours?

9:00–18:00, Saturday to Thursday, ticket office until 17:55. Entry pauses for each prayer.

### Is Chora Church open on Fridays?

Not for tourists — Friday is for worshippers only.

### Can you still see the mosaics at Chora Church?

Yes. The narthex mosaics and side-chapel frescoes are on view; only three mosaics in the prayer hall are curtained.

### Is Chora Church worth visiting?

If you like Byzantine art, yes — it has the best 14th-century mosaics in the city, up close. If not, €20 and the trip out may not be worth it.

### How do I get to Chora Church from Sultanahmet?

T1 to Eminönü, T5 to Balat or Ayvansaray, then 15–20 minutes uphill. Or T1 to Topkapı and T4 to Edirnekapı, then a 10–15 minute walk. A taxi takes 15–20 minutes.

### Is Chora Church a mosque now?

Yes. It became a mosque again by decree in 2020 and reopened as the Kariye Mosque on 6 May 2024, with a paid route for tourists.

### What should I wear to Kariye Mosque?

No shorts, covered shoulders, and a headscarf for women. Covers are sold at the ticket office; shoes come off in the prayer hall.

### How long do you need at Chora Church?

About 45 minutes. Add Balat and it becomes a half-day.

## How we checked

The €20 fee and Friday closure were announced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Directorate General of Foundations in August 2024; we found no report of a rise, but no official 2026 tariff either, so the fee and hours are marked “verifying”. Guides disagree on Fridays — most say closed to tourists all day, one says until after the midday prayer — we show all day. The 15-minute pre-prayer cut-off comes from 2024 news and the Müze İstanbul page; one guide says 30 minutes. Free entry for children 8 and under appears on only one page. The old “9:00–16:30, closed Tuesdays” timetable dates from the museum years and we don't use it. We found no evidence that tourists are kept to an upper level as at Hagia Sophia: descriptions put the route through the narthexes and side chapel at ground level. Metochites' rebuilding is dated 1315–1321 or c. 1310–1321; we give the completion year. Museum dates: decree in 1945, restoration from 1948, fully open from 1958.

## Sources

- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam: Kariye Camii (Semavi Eyice)
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Chora Church; Wikidata Q849489
- Küre Ansiklopedisi: Kariye (Chora) Camii
- DHA, Haber7 and Gazete Birlik, August 2024 — the €20 foreign-visitor fee and worshippers-only Fridays
- Müze İstanbul: Kariye Camii page, updated 27.05.2026 — hours, children, rules, entrance
- Istanbul.com, 2026 — hours and route through the building

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