Zeyrek Mosque, Istanbul

Tour Zeyrek Mosque to see one of the only Byzantine churches to survive Ottoman conquest. As with other Turkish religious sites like the famous Hagia Sofia, this mosque has undergone many changes over the centuries as different empires reigned the capitol. Empress Eirene Komnena originally built a monastery here in the 1100s and dedicated the structure to Christ Pantokrator. During the Ottoman Empire after the fall of Constantinople, the church and adjacent buildings were converted into a school and, later, a mosque. Today you can visit this site in Istanbul's Fatih district for a glimpse into past empires, which are evident in the architecture that has survived several centuries. Plan your visit to Zeyrek Mosque and a wealth of other attractions, well-known and undiscovered, using our Istanbul tour itinerary builder.