Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

İstanbul’s Top 10 Kariye Museum

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Tucked away in the shadow of Theodosius II’s monumental land walls, Kariye Museum is a tiny Byzantine building located in the little-visited Western Districts of the city. It’s adorned with mosaics and frescoes that were created in the 14th century and illustrate the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary. These are among the world’s best examples of Byzantine art, rivalled only by mosaics adorning churches in Ravenna, Italy. Put simply, it’s impossible to overpraise the exquisite interior here – visiting it is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

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