Chora
Monastery
The
finest examples of Byzantine mosaics that have remained to the present day are the ones
found in the Chora Monastery. This building was used for a time as a mosque and was known
as the Kariye Camisi. Following the Second World War the building was repaired and
restored and opened as a museum. The walls and the domes of this structure are ornamented
with mosaics. These pictures are very alive and they portray the lives of Jesus and Mary,
the death of Mary. The fresco of the Last Judgement belonging to this church is on exhibit
at the Hagia Sophia.
Many
other examples of Byzantine architecture are still being used today. Some of these
structures are the "Little" Hagia Sophia, The church of St. Irene, The Mescit of
Sheik Suleyman, the Mescit of Sancaktar, the Pantocreator Monastery (Zeyrek Camii), the
Monastery of Akaleptos (Kalanderhane Camii), the church of St. Tekla Atik (Mustafapasa
Camii), The church of St. Theodosia (Gul Camii), The church of the Myrelaion Monastery
(Bodrum Camii) and the church of the Lips Monastery (Fenari Isa Camii). The church of St.
Euphemia the Martyr was built in the fifth century AD and is a circular building standing
in Sultanahmet Square. The most unique feature of this building is its very interesting
frescos. One of these portrays the torture and death of Euphemia from Kadikoy who is
believed to have been killed because of her religious beliefs.
Most of
the churches and monasteries of the Byzantine period were converted to mosques and this
fact has actually helped these structure to survive for 1200-1500 years as they were thus
kept in a state of repair.
