Chora Museum

5.0

101 rating

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Level 5 Local Expert

Must see

Анна Полушина, свадебный фотограф в Москве

Level 19 Local Expert

Definitely better than Hagia Sophia, where nothing is visible. If you've only seen Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, you've seen 50% of Byzantine Istanbul. The remaining 50% is in the Choir church. Yes, it's a long way here, but once you enter, you'll forget about the road. The mosaics are so vivid and voluminous that they seem three-dimensional. I was particularly struck by the plot of "The Nativity of Christ" and "The Miracle of Water turned into Wine." Unlike the bustling Sultanahmet, it's quiet here, few people, and you can sit and stare at biblical scenes for hours. The building itself is a maze of outbuildings, domes, and each turn presents a new masterpiece. Be sure to take an audio guide or read the transcriptions of the mosaics in advance — you will miss a lot without context. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the soul of Byzantium, and not just check the box.

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Елена

Level 15 Local Expert

This is the best place in Istanbul. The impressions of the frescoes cannot be described in words. Frescoes from the 14th century can be viewed for hours. Bring a handkerchief with you, otherwise it's a rental fee. It's difficult to get there, I recommend calling a Yandex taxi from the Bosphorus. A must-visit for all connoisseurs of the Byzantine history of Orthodoxy.

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Андрей Б.

Level 7 Local Expert

It's not the most eye-catching place on the outside. It does not overwhelm with scale, like a large imperial temple, and does not immediately try to impress with its grandeur. But inside, another dimension is revealed: mosaics, gold, light, faces, gestures, ancient silence. Here, beauty does not scream, but gathers attention.

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Ольга Д

Level 11 Local Expert

It's a very interesting and beautiful place. But it is worth considering the dress code before visiting, starting from the ticket office and ticket turnstiles are very strictly monitored. Women need a long skirt, a dress, and preferably without slits) at the checkout, a man told me for a very long time that it was necessary to sew up the smell on the skirt, although nothing was visible there) and at the turnstiles they checked for any cuts on the side. The cash register sells scarves of 120 lira (there are no free ones) and if you do not go through the dress code, you can also buy an "outfit"))

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Дарья С.

Level 6 Local Expert

It works for tourists, during the hours free from prayer. February 2026. The entrance fee is 20 euros. The temple is not very large, but the number and degree of preservation of Byzantine frescoes is impressive, and the number greatly exceeds what remains in St. Sophia, about 50% of what was preserved here. Everyone decides for themselves whether it is necessary to visit, it is not close to the central attractions. If you are interested in history, architecture, art, culture in general, and what remains of the Byzantine Empire in particular, then you definitely will not regret visiting, in this regard, no less significant place than Hagia Sophia and much better preserved Byzantine heritage.

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татьяна родионова

Level 10 Local Expert

An interesting place. The Byzantine era.The walls and domes feature frescoes on the themes of the Resurrection, the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. There you can also see images of great Orthodox hymnographers (John of Damascus, Cosmas of Mayum).

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Елена Одягайло

Level 6 Local Expert

It is definitely worth a visit to admire the craftsmanship and subtlety of the work, the high spirituality of the mosaic masters, the Mosaics were restored by the efforts of the vizier Sultan. Who would have thought, there is even a mosaic with his image, he presents the temple to Jesus Christ. The entrance fee for tourists is 30 Euros, if a Muslim can enter for free, as in a mosque.

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Виталий

Level 16 Local Expert

A great monastery with a great history and stunning mosaics. but! It has been closed for "restoration" for many years. He managed to get into the territory in a way that was not entirely legal, for which he was expelled))) But we still managed to take a couple of photos)

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Наталья

Level 16 Local Expert

The church is located far enough from all the sights, the more interesting it was to explore the simple residential areas of Istanbul. They tried to break into the church twice in 2021, but it was closed for restoration (and conversion into a mosque), so they had to settle for an external inspection. The church is really old and in need of repair, small (how did people say goodbye to it for prayer?), it was not possible to inspect the mosaics inside. The mosque is already in operation now, if we are in Istanbul in the near future, we will definitely go again, we just need to find out the prayer schedule and take a handkerchief.

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Наталья 😎

Level 26 Local Expert

A delightful place, very underrated! The Byzantine frescoes, mosaic, and wood carvings are in good condition! Goosebumps! I spent 1.5 hours there and returned the next day!

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Yasin Arslan

Level 3 Local Expert

I was really impressed when I visited the Kariye Mosque. The walls that bear the traces of centuries, the fine workmanship and especially the details of the mosaics take people to another time. It is one of the places where history is felt so strongly in Istanbul. It is definitely a special structure that needs to be seen. I took a lot of beautiful frames, but I didn't want to share them all. I say, I will definitely say see. By the way, there is also a Sahaba Mausoleum at the entrance. Dec.

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Светлана Анисимова

Level 9 Local Expert

It is very easy to find, 3 minutes from the bus stop. There is a small area around. We haven't been inside, 20 euros for admission is too expensive, considering that it's not very big inside.

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Марина Алекина

Level 7 Local Expert

A fantastic church with mosaics of the entire Bible. Goosebumps run from the sight of all the episodes presented there. Be sure to take an audio guide and everything is so well and correctly told. Must-visit

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Дмитрий

Level 30 Local Expert

It is famous for its unique mosaics and frescoes of the early 14th century.

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Александер

Level 6 Local Expert

It is very beautiful and impressive, the ancient, ancient murals, everything looks magical, but this is a mosque, the entrance for tourists is paid (almost 3,000 rubles), thank you that the murals were not closed, as in Hagia Sophia

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Рома П.

Level 4 Local Expert

20 euros is expensive, but the place is beautiful, the best preserved Byzantine frescoes are here.

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Александра Ходжаева

Level 9 Local Expert

For three ! They waited a long time for the opening of the temple after the restoration . We waited and arrived . The temple is not large, some masaic frescoes have been preserved (it is beautiful, but I saw the same and similar ones in St. Sophia) She came in and out 10 minutes later . At the same time, paying an entrance fee of 20 €. Perhaps if the entrance was free or at least 2 times cheaper, then I would put 4*. And so for 20 € impressions for only 3*

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Ольга Рослякова

Level 8 Local Expert

A beautiful church, an unforgettable experience. It is a pity that many of the frescoes were destroyed.

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анна некрасова

Level 19 Local Expert

It is a pity that after the restoration the entrance fee was 20€. I was pleased with the street with colored houses nearby!!!

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Линар Сафиуллин

Level 5 Local Expert

A very beautiful, fascinating place. Almost all the murals and mosaics have been preserved, which is a real achievement for the Turks compared to the Fethiye mosque. I am very pleased that I have been there. I recommend it, but it's a long way to go.

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Ольга Салканова

Level 5 Local Expert

Stunning frescoes and mosaics.

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An Ga

Level 8 Local Expert

Recommended for anyone interested in the history of Byzantium. That's great!

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Андрей Суриков

Level 18 Local Expert

В настоящее время ведётся реконструкция, сверху закрыта защитным куполом, но внутрь пускают. Реконструкция ведётся в три этапа, в каждый из этапов, соответственно, треть объёма недоступна для просмотра. Входной билет - 65 лир. Единственное место, где можно увидеть византийское искусство в естественном окружении. Мечетью является сугубо формально, по всем признакам - чистая церковь в статусе музея.

Роман Соколов

Level 10 Local Expert

A miraculously preserved church with amazing frescoes

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Anita Shishkina

Level 4 Local Expert

Красивое место. Прекрасно сохранилась мозайка, церковь небольшая по площади. В августе 2020 года открыта для посещения, но идут реставрационные работы. Билет 27 лир, проходит музейная карта

Bülent Somuncu

Level 7 Local Expert

Magnificent transformed from a Byzantine artifact Kariye Mosque is the Original Temple of Saint Saviour Hora.Mosaics of the Prophet.Mary and It describes the scenes of Jesus depicted in the Bible. World masterpieces.Must Be Seen

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Яков Гайфуллин

Level 16 Local Expert

Хорошее место, где сохранилась византийская мозаика, рекомендую всем к посещению. Но на момент моего осмотра (17 сентября) 3/4 было на реставрации.

Сахаров Сергей

Level 12 Local Expert

Прикосновение к истории. Византийское православие. Я - атеист, но проникся

Abnorm Lawiet

Level 8 Local Expert

Это просто невероятные фрески. Там бесплатные гиды на русском - просто подходи и слушай. Но - находится в процессе реставрации.

Инна О.

Level 5 Local Expert

Потрясающая энергетика,красивая мозаика внутри.Надеюсь власти Турции сохранят ее.И не сделают мечеть в этом месте.Снаружи всё в лесах уже давно,к сожалению. Немного побродили в этом районе,по улочкам.Колорит местный мне нравится

Екатерина Бородачева

Level 5 Local Expert

Удалось посетить, когда Монастырь Хора не был ещё мечетью. Расположен необычно, вроде как простая деревня, и вдруг он появляется) Атмосфера необычно трогательная