Kalenderhane Mosque Istanbul
The church of Akaleptos
A church that is left over from the Byzantine era. This is another off the beaten path gem of İstanbul and not visited a lot. But for culture lovers like me it's a gem where you can feed your soul with the authenticity of the structure. The present appearance of the church took on in the 12th century. It once embraced lovely frescoes that are now being preserved and displayed in the Archaeological Museum, which is another reason why you need to visit this museum.
While I visit the now mosque I try to look for some traces of mosaics and frescoes are still visible in some parts of the mosque. I find it like a treasure hunt searching for the remains of the frescoes. The mosque is located in the Vefa district and along the way to Süleymaniye Mosque. I would insist that you stop by to have a look at this lovely structure that has been converted into a mosque and is still being used. You can see the interwoven depth of different cultures.
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