Restoration complete: Kariye Mosque to open for worship
The long-running restoration of the Kariye Mosque in Fatih has reached its conclusion. Custom-designed carpets have been laid in the Kariye Mosque, which was converted into a museum 79 years ago by a Council of Ministers decree. The mosque, which was decided to be opened for worship following its transfer to the Presidency of Religious Affairs by a presidential decree, will open for worship on Friday, February 23.
AA
Located in Fatih and built in the 6th century as the Kariye Church, the building was converted into a mosque in 1511 after the conquest of Istanbul by Atik Ali Pasha, one of the grand viziers of Sultan Bayezid II.
The historical structure began to be referred to as the "Atik Ali Pasha Mosque" or the "Kariye Mosque."
The Kariye Mosque, which was converted into a museum by a decision of the Council of Ministers on August 2, 1945, was transferred to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in 2020 by a decree from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Subsequently, the mihrab used during the Ottoman period was refurbished, and the Kariye Mosque was made ready for worship with the completion of the exterior restoration.
IT HAD BEEN USED AS A MUSEUM FOR 79 YEARS
While restoration work was ongoing, the Kariye Mosque was kept open to visitors as a museum.
Work has been completed at the Kariye Mosque, which had been used as a museum for 79 years and was decided to be opened for worship following the completion of the restoration. The historical mosque, which has been furnished with 100 percent wool, custom-designed red carpets, is scheduled to open for worship on Friday, February 23.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the authenticity of the mosaics and frescoes located inside the historical mosque was preserved during the restoration.
ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE OF THE KARIYE MOSQUE
Consisting of 5 main architectural elements, the Kariye Mosque took its current form after major construction and restoration work it underwent in different periods. Strengthened by the mosaic decorative elements inside, the Kariye Mosque appears as a simple structure from the outside with its stone and brick walls.
The dome of the Kariye Mosque, of which only the drum remains original to this day, had its collapsed dome rebuilt from wood and covered with plaster. The historical mosque, which has a longitudinal rectangular structure, contains 16 windows. It is known that these windows in the mosque were made in a long shape to illuminate the interior section.
The historical mosque, which uses marble on its floors and walls, features mosaics and frescoes in its interior decorations.