Church of Our Savior in Chora / Chora Church / Church of the Holy Savior in the Country / The Church of the Holy Redeemer in the Fields, Depiction of Mary, Partially ruined Mosaic

Abstract

Located in Istanbul, the Church is situated at the western part of the municipality of Fatih. Originally built in the early 5th century AD outside of Constantinople's 4th century walls built by Constantine the Great, south of the Golden Horn, Chora Church was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian I circa 527-565 AD and incorporated within the city's 5th century monumental land walls fortification built by Emperor Theodosius II. Most of the current building dates from the extensive renovations done by Maria Dukaina, mother-in-law of Emperor Alexius I, circa 1077-1081. The Church was then built according to a quincunx architectural plan. Damaged in the 12th century probably by an earthquake, the Church was later rebuilt by Isaac Comnenus, Emperor Alexius's son. The church was completed only in the 14th century. The Byzantine politician Theodore Metochites donated much of the fine mosaics and frescos within the Church. The decoration of the interior was done circa 1315-1321. Circa 1500, Atik Ali Pasa, Vizier of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, converted the Church into a mosque, during which time the mosaics and frescoes were covered with plaster. In 1948, Thomas Whittemore and Paul A. Underwood, sponsored the restorations. In 1958, it was opened to the public as a secularized museum.