Church of St Saviour in Chora

Church of St Saviour in Chora review

Often overlooked because it's so far off the beaten track, for Byzantine splendour this church (also known as the Kariye Mosque or Museum) is second only to Haghia Sophia. Built in the late 11th century, its celebrated mosaics and frescoes were added when the church was remodelled in the 14th century. Depicting all manner of Christain iconography, from the Day of Judgement through to the Resurrection, the works here are arguably the most important surviving examples of Byzantine art in the world, both in terms of their execution and preservation. Ironically, this Christian art owes its excellent condition to the church's conversion to Islam in the early 16th century, when the frescoes and mosaics were covered over. They remained concealed until their rediscovery in 1860. The Kariye Hotel at the end of the street is also worth visiting for its excellent Ottoman restaurant, Asitane.