Mosaics and frescos from the Chora Monastery Church located in Constantinople (Istanbul)

The name of the church,"in Chora" means "in the country" because the very ancient monastery to which it was attached was outside the walls of the Constantinian; later when it was included within the Theodosian walls, the name remained the Holy Savior of Chora.

The mosaics and frescoes are by far the most important and extensive series of Byzantine paintings in the city and among the best and most beautiful in the world.
The origin of the monument cannot be traced with certainty.  

The earliest reference is found in the Synaxarion (Legendary) of 4 September by Symeon Metaphrastes, according to which the relics of St. Babylas who was martyred in 298, were removed from the Golden Horn to the northwest part of the City, at a place outside the walls <<where there is a monastery called Chora.>>

The present church dates from the 11th century, though it was almost destroyed by the crusaders, and was rebuilt in 1313. and the mosaics and frescoes date from this period, and are some of the best examples of the beginning of the Byzantine Renaissance. It was converted into a mosque in 1500 and has been a museum since 1959.
  • Virgin Blachenitissa
  • Virgin Blachenitissa
  • Mary and Christ Child - "The dwelling place of the uncontainable."
  • Mary and Christ Child - "The dwelling place of the uncontainable."
  • Virgin Eleousa
  • Virgin Eleousa
  • Virgin Eleousa
  • Virgin Eleousa
  • Virgin Eleousa
  • virgin Mary
  • Virgin Mary
  • Thetokos in Dome surrounded by angels.
  • Christ and Theodore Metochites who is the one responsible for the reconstruction of this Church after the Crusaders destroyed it. Here he is seen presenting the model of the church to Jesus. He was noted for his writings in liturature and science. He was a high ranking offical of the Byzantine court who became quite wealthy. He was given the charge by the emperor to rebuild the Church of the chora Monastery. He oversaw the moasic works between 1302 and 1320. He suffered exile under a new emperor but was brought back later and became a monk in the church he decorated. He died in 1332 in the Chora Monastery.
  • Chirst in entry
  • Christ
  • Christ
  • Christ
  • Christ