Zeyrek Camii

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  • Address
    İbadethane Sokak, Laleli
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  • Transport
    tram: Laleli

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Zeyrek Camii was originally part of an important Byzantine sanctuary comprising two churches, a chapel and a monastery. The monastery is long gone and the northernmost church is derelict, but the southern church still has some features intact, including a magnificent marble floor. Empress Eirene had the church built before her death in AD 1124 (she features in a mosaic at Aya Sofya with Emperor John II Comnenus).

The church and the attached chapel, built by John II, now function as a mosque. Outside prayer times a caretaker is usually available to show visitors around and will gratefully accept a donation in return. Ask him to pull back the carpet to reveal part of the splendid mosaic floor.