Chora MuseumvsSehzade Mehmet Mosque
Both are recommended by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Kariye Museum scores slightly better than Sehzade Mehmet Mosque. Kariye Museum ranks #10 in Istanbul with accolades from 6 reviews including Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure and Concierge.
Chora Museum
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Let's Go
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine Fodor's
Frommer's
Kariye Camii Sokak,No:26 Edirnekapi, Istanbul 34087, Turkey
From $0/night
Fodor's "The dazzling mosaics and frescoes in the former Church of the Holy Savior in Chora are considered to be among the finest Byzantine artworks in the world." Full review
Concierge "Tucked away in a far corner of the Old City, just by the Edirnekapı gate, is the tiny Kariye Museum, also known as the Chora Church."
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"İstanbul has more than its fair share of Byzantine monuments, but few are as drop-dead gorgeous as the Chora Church." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This pumpkin-domed church-turned-museum is one of the great surviving jewels of Byzantine art and architecture." Full review
Let's Go "Chora Church requires some serious ceiling-gazing, cramp-in-the-neck-calming skills—you’ll find some of the most beautiful surviving Byzantine art on the domes above your head." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"." Full review
Afar Magazine "Chora Church (Kariye Museum)According to Islamic tradition, only God can create images of holy beings, including angels and prophets. Therefore, when the Ottomans converted Chora Church..." Full review
Fodor's "The dazzling mosaics and frescoes in the former Church of the Holy Savior in Chora are considered to be among the finest Byzantine artworks in the world. Most of the mosaics, in 50..." Full review
Frommer's "The original church was built in the 4th century A.D. as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls... but the present structure dates to the 11th century." Full review
Sehzade Mehmet Mosque Fodor's Lonely Planet Michelin Guide Frommer's
Sehzadebasi Cad., Vefa, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0/night
Fodor's "The medium-sized Şehzade Camii was built for Süleyman the Magnificent's eldest son, Prince Mehmet, who died of smallpox in 1543 at age 22." Full review
Lonely Planet "Süleyman the Magnificent built this mosque between 1543 and 1548 as a memorial to his son, Mehmet, who died of smallpox in 1543 at the age of 22." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Perched on the third hill of Istanbul, the elegant silhouette of Suleyman's mosque rises gracefully towards the sky, via a magnificent profusion of domes." Full review
Frommer's "What was at the time considered a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture is now merely a footnote to Sinan's subsequent great works." Full review
