The Chora Church or Mosque is considered a notable Byzantine church by many, and though Istanbul has quite a collection of Byzantine churches, this one, slightly off the beaten track in Edirnekapi, is recommended because of the impressive collection mosaics and frescos decorating its walls.

The Chora bit of the name means 'in the country', and when it was built this church was beyond the city walls. It was turned into a mosque in the 15th Century, and the art decorating it was covered in plaster, it would have taken a lot of plaster because most of the church's interior is covered in art depicting the stories of the bible.

Written by  Emilie Stokes.

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