Kariye Mosque reopens highlighting rich Byzantine, Islamic roots

Exclusive by Murat Oztekin — The Kariye Mosque, originally a site with deep historical roots dating back 1,500 years, will reopen its doors on May 8 in Istanbul after a decade of restoration. It aims to embrace both its Byzantine and Islamic heritages.

The site was first closed in 1945 and converted into a museum in 1948. It has undergone numerous transformations throughout the centuries, with the latest efforts marked by a restoration that began in 2012 and concluded this year.

Hayri Fehmi Yilmaz, a Kariye Mosque Scientific Committee member and an art historian, reports that the structure has seen various phases of destruction and rebuilding over the centuries.

The current building dates back to the early 1300s and was constructed by the Byzantine statesman Theodoros Metokhites. Yilmaz highlights the importance of converting Kariye into a mosque, a move spearheaded by Atik Ali Pasha during Sultan Bayezid II's rule, in preserving the historic site. He asserts that this conversion was crucial for ensuring the survival of Kariye.

The American Byzantine Institute began the restoration efforts as a museum in 1948, with Dumbarton Oaks Research continuing the work until 1958. This phase aimed to uncover and preserve the building’s mosaics and frescoes.

Yilmaz points out the unfortunate removal of several Ottoman artifacts during this time. “The original pulpit went to Zeyrek Mosque and then it disappeared, along with many other items like chandeliers and calligraphic works. We only have the niche and the minaret left,” he explains.

The recent restoration addressed structural and foundational issues and worked on preserving mosaics and frescoes without adding any new elements. “We made sure to respect and maintain elements from both historical periods in our latest restoration efforts,” Yilmaz said.

Source: Newsroom