Chora Church

Karen and I visited the Chora Church (or, as it is now called, Chora Museum).  Moira had been trooping up hill and down dale for days and decided to sit out for this trip (which was a continuation of the shoe-shine/spice market outing highlighted in my preceding posting).

Reportedly, the original church on the site of the current Chora Museum was built in the 400s ad, outside the walls of Constantinople.  Much of the current building was erected in the 11th century.  It wasn't until the 14th century that the building took +/- the complete form it now has and was decorated on the inside with stunning frescoes and mosaics.  Then in the 15th centuries the Ottomans took over the city and the church was converted to a mosque and all of its frescoes and mosaics covered with plaster.  It operated as a most for some 400 years.  In 1948 it was deconsecrated and restoration work was undertaken, and in 1958 it opened as a museum.

Aw always, double clicking on a photo should displa it in larger, denser format.

The building is fairly small and really very beautiful and graceful.

My photos don't really do it justice.  Google Chora Museum to find better images.

Moira and Karen and the Thai-Ital dish in Karen's apartment on our penultimate night.

Gould Hall with banners celebrating Turkey and Ataturk.