Chora Church

The Chora Church is located in the outskirts of Istanbul and, while it's a ways away from the city's main points of interest, it's still a must if you're traveling to Istanbul. The church was built in the 4th century and subsequently rebuilt over the years; the current incarnation was finished in the 9th century.

It was originally a Christian church which was converted into a mosque once the Ottomans took control of Constantinople. It had beautiful frescoes on the dome and interior walls but they were painted over and a minaret was added. The church also has several smaller chapels which give it an irregular shape (a fact which is easily appreciated once you reach the rear of the church).

This small mosque, or the church of St. Savior in Chora as it is also called, has one of the most pictorial treasures stored within itself. Its mosaics and frescoes are of extraordinary quality. Little is known about the early days of the church, although its name means "of the field", because it is believed to have been built in a rural setting. The present church dates from the eleventh century. Between 1315 and 1321 it was refurbished and, commissioned by Teodoro Metochites - a remarkable dignitary of his time - at that time frescoes were incorporated.