The Church of St. Saviour in Chora, is called Kariye Camii in Turkish, has been converted from a church to a mosque and is now a museum. For me, after Hagia Sophia, it's the most interesting Byzantine church in the city. Definitely not the the building itself but the superb series of mosaics and frescoes which it preserves and which have been magnificently restored and cleaned. This is one of the best visits for me in İstanbul. The name of the church 'in Chora' means in the country because the very ancient monastery to which it was attached was outside the Constantinian walls.
This museum is not that popular with the tourists who have short time to stay in İstanbul. But if you in anyway have an extra half day I would definitely suggest you take a short visit here. Leave yourself to the frescoes and dive into the depths of history. And the great thing here is you can take photographs without flash.
Find your way with 237 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
From internationally acclaimed jazz masters to dynamic dance performances, the CRR Concert Hall consistently offers top-notch entertainment.
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Suna'nin Yeri's commitment to sourcing only the finest seafood is evident in every bite. Everything that is served here is fresh and sourced daily.
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"Homemade Aromaterapi" is a small, beautiful shop in Kuzguncuk, Istanbul. Come here for cold-pressed essential oils, cleansers, soaps, toothpaste & more!
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"Kuzguncuk" in Istanbul is a uniquely beautiful neighborhood with old colorful houses, mansions and friendly shopkeepers - a sense of connected community.
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The "Chandeliers in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia" have their own little recent story which is good to remember whenever you pay a visit... Lighting is key!
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With it large garden and lovely ambience, "Primitif Birahane" in Istanbul resembles 'biergartens' in Germany, though here you will find plenty of cats...
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The "Pera Museum" is for you if you're into art from the life of Istanbul and the Ottoman world between the 17th and early 20th century...
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"The Shoe-shine boys" is a very typical Istanbul sight. Having your shoes painted and polished is a nice experience, just be careful who does it for you!
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The "Fenerbahçe Steamboat" has carried passengers across Istanbul's Bosphorus over 55 years. Now you can see this historical ship in Rahmi Koc Museum.
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"Holy Fragrance" sellers sit just outside mosques and provide refreshing perfumes. I would recommend the ones in Istanbul's Beyazit and Yeni mosques.
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"Kurucu Ali Baba Restaurant" is one of the restaurants that serve haricot beans just outside Suleymaniye in Istanbul. Great service, worth the money...
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