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Zeyrek Camii “Church of the Pantocrator”

Home → Istanbul, Turkey → Zeyrek Camii “Church of the Pantocrator”

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Rating: 5.0/5 (2009 votes cast)

Zeyrek Camii (Zeyrek Mosque) is a mosque in Istanbul, made of two former Eastern Orthodox churches and a chapel. It represents the most typical example of architecture of the Byzantine middle period in Constantinople and is, after Hagia Sophia, the second largest religious edifice built by the Byzantines remaining in Istanbul.

Istanbul’s Church of the Pantocrator, now a mosque named Zeyrek Camii, is a former monastery church and one of the most important historic landmarks of the Byzantine period.

However, the structure is in a sad state of neglect so a detour here may only be worthwhile in tandem with a stroll through the narrow streets of the Zeyrek neighborhood.

History

Dedicated to St. Saviour Pantocrator, the monastery was founded by Empress Eirene, wife of John II Comnenus, who completed the south church prior to her death in 1124. She was also the first to be buried here (her sarcophagus was moved in the 1960s to the Archaeological Museum, but now resides in the exonarthex of the Hagia Sophia).

The northern church was added by the emperor (her husband) after Eirene’s death, and dedicated to Virgin Eleousa, the Merciful or Charitable.

The emperor also had the churches connected through the jerry-rigging of a chapel between the north and south church, which also required the demolition of part of the exterior walls of the two buildings.

The church was converted to a mosque in the 15th century.

What to See

Zeyrek Camii “Church of the Pantocrator” is actually a composite of two churches and a chapel, making it the second largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia.

Inside, the building preserves some of its original decoration (marble pavement, door frames in the narthex, marble apse). Restoration is ongoing. The 15th-century minbar (pulpit) is composed of recycled fragments of Byzantine sculpture.

To the east of the building is the Ottoman Konak, restored and opened as a fine restaurant and tea garden, the Zeyrek Hane. It’s much out of character with the rest of the neighborhood, but the food is good and includes a view both of the city and of the Zeyrek Camii. The tea garden is decorated with Byzantine columns, capitals, mosque toppers and other marbles of unknown provenance.


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Rating: +2215 (from 2215 votes)
Zeyrek Camii "Church of the Pantocrator", 100% based on 2215 ratings
5 Reviews
  1. dino CADEN
    8:34 pm on May 19, 2006

    Absolutely you will must to see this church. and it is last two Byzantine church..if you will come to church.you can see most important things for Byzantine history.after that.. if you go to back of church . you can eat snak and drink something.. and while you will drink wine you can see very good view. mosque, beyazit tower, galata tower and golden horn…

    Reply
    • RITA.M
      8:37 pm on July 9, 2008

      Although the mosaics and frescoes were totally destroyed by the ottomans and the structure is in a sad state of neglect, still remains a wonderful sign of the Byzantine architecture and is actually the second largest church in Constantinople after Hagia Sophia.

      Reply
  2. j.Lind
    5:21 pm on February 17, 2011

    Be aware that the former Church of the Pantocrator is not open to visitors and is shrouded in scaffholding while it is restored. I was disappointed when I tried to view it today!

    Reply
  3. Louis Prévost
    7:09 pm on April 9, 2011

    Nous avons tenté le coup, sur la route entre la mosquée de Suleyman et les quartiers de fener et balat, mais c’est toujours fermé. L’extérieur est en partie rénové, et très beau. A noter, il y a une très jolie vue de la terrasse du café d’à coté, mais il est fermé également. Ce sera pour la prochaine fois.

    Reply
  4. 2013 miley
    8:30 pm on March 26, 2013

    This is one of the most charming Byzantien building in the city and it is under restoraiton for a while. It is very intersing and worth to see. I hope that at the end of restoration, we will be able to see the some of the base mosaics…

    Reply
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ephesus tours

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