It was built between 1316 and 1321 according to the plans of Théodore Métoquines.

The most spectacular of the church are its frescoes and Byzantine mosaics, among the best preserved in the world.

A little anecdote: Chora means “outside the city”, because the church was built outside the walls of ancient Byzantium.

The ottoman era

As with the Hagia Sophia, after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire, Saint-Sauveur-in-Chora was transformed into a mosque. In 1948 its restoration began and ten years later it opened to the public as a museum.

In the time when it served as a mosque, the frescoes were covered with plaster, a detail that surely helped their conservation.

Our opinion

While its mosaics and frescoes are impressive, its relative distance (it is not accessible by tram or metro) and the high price of the tour are a minus. A lot of people think it's an essential visit, but we agree less. That said, if you like Byzantine art, this church will enchant you.