Which called Chora Museum, Chora Mosque or Chora Church is one of the most beautiful surviving icon of a Byzantine Art and Architecture. Chronologically, at the beginning it was a church built by Saint Theodius by order of Byzantine Emperor Justinious in 534, then in 11th century it was rebuilt by mother- in- law of Emperor Alexious, Maria Doukaina. But,devastated during Latin Invasion between (1204-1261), church was repaired by creative architect Theodoros Metokhites in 14th century. He made use of the Renaissance architecture style by adding the narthex and the paracclesion. After Ottoman Sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s conquest of Istanbul, that repaired church was turned into a mosque by the visier Ali Hadım Pasha like Hagia Sophia church. At last it is used as a museum now.
Except for the history, when you look at the architecture, it’s aesthetic beauty attracts you as soon as taking a step into the church. Fascinating fresco and mosaics ornament in this chapel. Also when you look at the pictures on the walls, they reflecs Bible history, which is about the history of Virgin Mary, his son Jesus Christ and the other religion subjects. Also derived from the ancient Greek word Chora which means outside of the city, Kariye museum is located in Edirnekapı, district of Istanbul. This magnificent structure includes a few secrets;
The Secrets Of The Chora Museum
As well as the cultural centre, it includes extraordinary aesthetic beauty and secrets.
FIRST SECRET
the marble plate located in the side wall called Apsis astonishes the people.Because there is a fossil of the necton living many years ago! Also the fossillization on the marble has rarely seen. So this is a supernatural case.
SECOND SECRET
The marbles from Egypt and Thessalia were used to cover the building of Kariye museum but one of those marbles is so interesting because it is four- leafed- clover shape.
THIRD SECRET
Located In the first entrance of the museum’s saloon, mosaic which is about the wedding ceremony displays the history written arabic numbers. It has not still been solved the code of that history.
LAST SECRET OF THE CHORA MUSEUM
In the part of the Chapel, there are two mosaics included the figures with black colour. This is so interesting because black dress reflects the puritan community which is seen later, in 16th century. But those figures belong to the 13th century, so that shows us there is a first step into the puritan world.
