Pammakaristos Church (Fethiye Mosque)
A former Byzantine church turned mosque, with a small museum chapel holding some of Istanbul's finest surviving mosaics after Hagia Sophia and Chora.
Originally a Byzantine church, this was the last building to serve as the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate before the Ottoman conquest. Converted into the Fethiye Mosque in 1591, it stands as a fine example of Palaiologan architecture with its intricate brickwork and central dome.
What makes it worth a stop is the parekklesion, a side chapel now run as a museum. Its walls are covered with remarkable 14th-century mosaics — Christ, the Virgin Mary and saints — that rank among Istanbul's richest collections of Byzantine art outside of Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church. The main mosque remains an active place of worship.
“To see some of Istanbul's best Byzantine mosaics in a quiet corner of Fatih, inside a still-functioning mosque.”
Most tourists miss the mosaic-filled side chapel; look for the separate entrance to the left before entering the main prayer hall.
Good to know
- Is Pammakaristos Church (Fethiye Mosque) free to visit?
- Free. Active mosque; the mosaic-covered parekklesion section keeps its own visiting hours
- How long should you spend at Pammakaristos Church (Fethiye Mosque)?
- ~1h
- When is the best time to visit Pammakaristos Church (Fethiye Mosque)?
- Morning
- Is there a dress code at Pammakaristos Church (Fethiye Mosque)?
- Headscarf required. Headscarves and wraps are available at the entrance. The mosque is closed to non-worshippers during prayer times.
