Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
KARİYE MUSEUM (CHORA CHURCH)
| MUSEUM
FETHİYE MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
| MUSEUM
(Fethiye Müzesi, Church of Pammakaristos; Fethiye Caddesi, Çarşamba; admission 5; 9am-4.30pm
Thu-Tue; 33ES, 90, 44B, 36C, 399B&C from Eminönü, 55T from Taksim)
Not long after the Con-
quest, Mehmet the Conqueror visited this 13th-century church to discuss theological ques-
tions with the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church. They talked in the southern side chapel
known as the
parecclesion
, which is now open as a small museum. The chapel was added
to the church in the 14th century and is decorated with gold mosaics.
The most impressive of the mosaics are the
Pantokrator and 12 Prophets
adorning the
dome, and the
Deesis (Christ with the Virgin and St John the Baptist)
in the apse.
The building itself was extended several times over the centuries before being converted
to a mosque in 1573. It was named Fethiye (Conquest) to commemorate Sultan Murat III's
victories in Georgia and Azerbaijan.
PATRIARCHAL CHURCH OF ST GEORGE
OFFLINE MAP
| CHURCH
GOOGLE MAP
33ES, 90, 44B, 36C, 399B&C from Eminönü, 55T from Taksim)
Dating from 1836, this church is part
of the Greek Patriarchate, a compound of buildings nestled behind the historic sea walls
fronting the Golden Horn. Inside are artefacts including Byzantine mosaics, religious relics
and a wood-and-inlay patriarchal throne. The most eye-catching feature is an ornately
carved wooden iconostasis (screen of icons) that was restored and lavishly gilded in 1994.
The patriarchal throne is in the middle of the nave. Made of walnut inlaid with ivory,
mother-of-pearl and coloured wood, it is thought to date from the last years of Byzantium.
Other treasures include the 11th-century mosaic icon that is on the south wall to the right
of the iconostasis. This shows the Virgin Mary holding and pointing to the Christ Child,
and was originally created for the Byzantine church of Pammakaristos (now the Fethiye
Museum).
Look for the Column of Christ's Flagellation in the southern corner of the nave. The
church claims that this is a portion of the column to which Jesus Christ was bound and
