Kariye Mosque

About this place

Kariye Mosque, originally the Byzantine Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, is one of Istanbul’s most important late Byzantine monuments. Built in its present form mainly in the 11th–14th centuries, it is celebrated for extraordinary mosaics and frescoes that rank among the finest surviving examples of Palaiologan art. After the Ottoman conquest it was converted into a mosque, later served as a museum, and today functions again as a mosque while preserving its layered heritage. Its compact exterior contrasts with richly decorated inner spaces, where domes, marble revetments, and narrative biblical scenes reveal a refined medieval architectural style.

Getting there: The nearest stop is Edirnekapı on the T4 tram line, about 700 m away, roughly a 10-minute walk. Several buses also stop near Edirnekapı and Ayvansaray, with the final approach through neighborhood streets.

Note: As an active mosque, modest clothing is recommended; women may need a headscarf, and visits can be limited during prayer times. Interiors can be dim and visitor flow may pause around worship hours, so morning visits are usually calmer for viewing the mosaics and frescoes.

Plan your visit

Visit duration

60 minutes

Tickets

General admission: $20.00 per person. Children age 8 and under: free. No student/senior/local discount tiers found in sources.

Address

Derviş Ali, Kariye Camii Sok. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours

• Friday: Closed
• Monday: 09:00-18:00
• Sunday: 09:00-18:00
• Tuesday: 09:00-18:00
• Saturday: 09:00-18:00
• Thursday: 09:00-18:00
• Wednesday: 09:00-18:00