İstanbul · Fatih · Turkey

Kariye Müzesi

Chora Church (Kariye Museum)

MuseumReligiousgoogle verified

~45 min

moderate

10/10

contemplative, spiritual

Tucked away near the old city walls, far from the Sultanahmet crowds, this former Byzantine church holds the finest mosaics and frescoes in Istanbul — and possibly all of Christendom. The 14th-century scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary are so vivid they practically leap off the walls. The journey through the backstreets of Fatih to get here is half the adventure. Don't miss it.