Kariye Chora: A Story of Transformation from Church to Mosque has been published.

The stories depicted on the walls of the Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)—given its present form in the 14th century by one of history’s greatest patrons of the arts, Theodoros Metochites, and considered the last masterpiece of Byzantine art—have been brought together in a book. Published by Demirören Publishing, Kariye Chora: A Story of Transformation from Church to Mosque features the narratives portrayed in its mosaics and frescoes. The bilingual edition (Turkish and English) contains 60 stories accompanied by nearly 100 photographs.

Archaeologist Dr. Murat Sav noted:

“The Renaissance in Italy, in a sense, began earlier in this church during the Byzantine era. Figures began to grow and elongate in form. There is no other structure in Byzantium with such intense visual and iconographic content. There are very special details here. The mosque is surrounded by paintings and mosaics depicting some of the miracles of Mary and Jesus. While some images of the Virgin Mary are based on the Bible, most follow oral traditions. Another feature that makes this building special is that the tomb of the man who commissioned it, Theodoros Metochites—second only to the emperor in the Byzantine hierarchy—is also located here.”

From Church to Mosque

Originally built as the Chora Church, the structure was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period by Atik Ali Pasha. Located in Istanbul’s Fatih district, Kariye today serves as both a mosque and a museum. The mosaics and frescoes—counted among the last great masterpieces of Byzantine art—stand out for their shading, use of light, emotional expressions, body movements summarizing the flow of the events depicted, and extraordinary use of color, making Kariye a technical marvel and a herald of the Renaissance period.

Photographic Documentation of the Masterpieces

Dr. Sav highlighted the importance of the photographic work in the book:

“Inside, there are also spolia from different periods, including a magnificent 5th-century marble door. After the mosaics were uncovered, the building was converted into a museum, and it has remained in this form until today. Kariye is a unique structure and must be understood correctly in both touristic and cultural terms. The photographic documentation in Kariye Chora: A Story of Transformation from Church to Mosque brings the mosaics and frescoes into focus. Many people contributed to this work—especially Yıldırım and Meltem Demirören for creating this opportunity, and Bedri Göğalp for coordinating the project.”

A Bilingual Cultural Asset

Dr. Sav also stressed the value of publishing the book in both Turkish and English:

“Non-Turkish speakers can now learn about the scenes in the church through the book. It is gratifying that this unique structure has preserved its identity. The depictions of the mosaics and frescoes in the book add further significance. Visitors who read the book and learn the mosque’s history before touring it will gain a much deeper appreciation. For this reason, the book holds great importance.”