The beautiful mosaics of Chora in Istanbul, Turkey

Hello friends,

Today's post will be about the beautiful Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora (Ἐκκλησία τοῦ Ἁγίου Σωτῆρος ἐν τῇ Χώρᾳ), or Chora Church as it is locally known. The interior of the Chora Church is adorned with some of the oldest and finest surviving Byzantine mosaics and frescoes; they were uncovered and restored after the building was secularized, and turned into a museum.

I have been to many churches, including the Hagia Sophia, and in my humble opinion this church has the most beautiful mosaics I have ever seen.

The exterior of Chora Church

The original church on this site was built in the early 4th century AD, but the church was rebuilt after an earthquake, and its present form dates back to the early 14th century. The artwork inside the church was commissioned by the powerful Byzantine statesman Theodore Metochites, and carried out between 1315 and 1321.

After the fall of Istanbul to the Ottomans, the mosaics and frescoes were covered behind a layer of plaster. There have also been earthquakes in the region, taking their toll on the artwork. In 1948, Americans Thomas Whittemore and Paul Underwood sponsored a restoration program. In 1958, the church was opened to the public as a museum (Kariye Müzesi) (1).

Jesus

Mary with baby Jesus

There was some people around at the time I visited, which was early morning. Looking at the mosaics and the domes can actually be an excellent exercise on the neck muscles.

Interior views of the church

So, lets now have a closer look at the beautiful Byzantine mosaics of the church.

Mary and Joseph register for the census before Governor Quirinius

Joseph's dream and journey to Bethlehem

The three Magi follow the star to the court of king Herod

Birth of Jesus

Herod ordering the massacre of the Innocents

Jesus turns water into wine at the Wedding at Cana

Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish

Jesus heals Peter's Mother-in-Law

Jesus heals the two blind men

Jesus heals a deaf-mute man

Jesus heals the paralytic at Capernaum

Theodore Metochites presenting his church to the enthroned Jesus

And last but not least, lets have a closer look at the wonderful frescoes of the church.

Mary and baby Jesus

Jesus raising Adam and Eve out of their sarcophagi, with saints and kings in attendance

The last two murals below depict the Day of Judgment, the final and eternal judgment by God of the people.

And that's the end of today's post. I hope you liked my post, and that you will follow me to the next one. Have a good day and speak to you soon!

References:
1.Text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chora_Church.