Chora Church, Kariye Museum The Chora Museum (Turkish Kariye
Müzesi, Kariye Camii, or Kariye Kilisesi — the Chora Museum,
Mosque or Church) is considered to be one of the most beautiful
examples of a Byzantine church. The church is situated in the
western, Edirnekapı district of Istanbul. In the 16th century,
the church was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman rulers,
and it became a secularised museum in 1948. The interior of the
building is covered with fine mosaics and frescoes. History of
Chora Church The Chora Church was originally built outside the
walls of Constantinople, to the south of the Golden Horn.
Literally translated, the church’s full name was the Church of
the Holy Saviour in the Country: although “The Church of the
Holy Redeemer in the Fields” would be a more natural rendering
of the name in English. (Greek ἡ Ἐκκλησία του Ἅγιου Σωτῆρος ἐν
τῃ Χώρᾳ, hē Ekklēsia tou Hagiou Sōtēros en tē Chōra). The last
part of that name, Chora, referring to its location originally
outside of the walls, becam