Molla Zeyrek Mosque

It's probably the most see byzantine church in the area. Definitely one of a kind as a building. Bunch of domes and pretty exciting, playful to walk around inside, climbing upstairs etc. The environment of the church and the facades are as much intriguing as the inside too.

MOLLA ZEYREK MOSQUE (PANTOKRATOR MONASTERY)
The mosque is the churches of the Pantokrator Monastery belonging to the Byzantine period and was built on a large terrain with terraces on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn. The building, which was built by Eirene, wife of the Emperor II. loannis Komnenos (1111-1143), the daughter of Hungarian King Laszlo, is estimated to have been completed by her husband after the death of the empress in 1124. The architect of the buildings is known as Nikeforos. The monastery had a fifty-bed hospital with five divisions, a library, a home for the elderly, a medical school, a pharmacy and holy spring areas. The monastery, which was converted into a madrasa after the conquest of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, became the first educational institution of Istanbul in the Ottoman period. Probably the monastery's monk cells were transformed into madrasa cells, and its churches were used both as a masjid-classroom and as a mosque. Molla Mehmed Efendi, of whom the nickname was Zeyrek, who was one of the professors of the madrasa, was the source of the name of the structure in the Ottoman period. When the madrasas of the Fâtih Complex were built, the structure was given to Abdullah-ı Iiahî and continued its activity in the form of a small Islamic monastery. All the sections of the Byzantine churches of different periods were used as mosques during the Ottoman period. The structure used and preserved throughout the Ottoman period, was severely damaged in the 1766 earthquake and it has taken its present form with an essential repair made in that period, Since most of the colored marble coatings belonging to the Byzantine period were destroyed before this repair, colored hand-drawn marble imitation works were done. The mihrab of the mosque, the marble pulpit and the wooden ambo were added during this period. The floor of the building in the south has one of the marble floors in the richest opus sectile technique from the Byzantine period to the present. The last restoration of Molla Zeyrek Mosque was carried out comprehensively by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality between 2009-2017. During the restoration work, a sub-structure with the same plan as the superstructure was found under the structure in the north.

This is the second largest religious Byzantine building in Istanbul, after Hagia Sophia. It's built in 1118 originally with the name of Monastery of Pantocrator. Ottomans then converted it into a mosque, adding a minaret and designing the interior again. Since then, it's called Molla Zeyrek Mosque. I visited it in the evening and it was definitely very impressive. The building's architecture is mostly intact and well-preserved. The interior of the mosque has an amazing atmosphere, every detail is beautiful.

Zeyrek Mosque or the Monastery of the Pantokrator, is a large mosque in Fazilet Sokağı in the Zeyrek district of Fatih in Istanbul, overlooking the Golden Horn.

a true historical treasure. so so beautiful. worth to visit. make sure to dress appropriately cause the neighbourhood is pretty conservative.

It was a monastery from Byzantium times, then a Madrasah (Islamic school) and now a mosque. I always enjoy visiting here

This place was built in 1124 as a church and later it was converted to mosque in the reign of Sultan Mehmed

Restoration finished. Good job done. Farih win new culture point

The building, which was used and protected throughout the Ottoman period, was badly damaged in the 1766 earthquake. It took its present form with the major repairs made during the Mustafa period. In the same period, it is understood that the cover system of the building in the north collapsed to a large extent and a high rimmed dome in the Byzantine style was rebuilt. The sultan's lodge to the south of the mosque was also built during this period. The large mahfil with its rich woodwork overflowing into the mosque and the arched pedestal of the masonry ramp have survived to the present day. The rich mosaic decorations and colorful marble coverings of the Byzantine period were also damaged in this earthquake. The columns carrying the dome of the building in the north were replaced with piers built with rows of square-section stones and bricks with chamfered corners during the same construction. In the building in the south, sliced ​​stone piers in the Ottoman baroque style were built instead of the columns. It is not known exactly whether the columns were preserved inside the piers, but the data pointing to this in one of them was determined during the last repair. It is understood that all the hand-drawn decorations of the building were renovated according to the taste of the period during the repairs.

Very nice and historical place with great view on the Golden horn

Excellent conservation work. Helps tell the story of Byzantine Christendom and how the heritage was inherited and celebrated by Ottoman Muslims.

Restoration is complete, but I miss the old mosque, which reveal its bricks, and ancient side of the mosque

Perfect place full of history I came there twice and planing to visit for the third time as well I do recommend you to go there and enjoy the history also enjoy the view. Also enjoy lovely cats and dogs all around this area.

Zeyrek Mosque (Zeyrek Camii) - functioning as a mosque - was a Byzantine monastery with a name of Pantokrator Monastery dedicated to the Christ. Similar to most of the Byzantine churches in the city, it was converted into a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453. Pantokrator, meaning “almighty”, was the largest church in Constantinople after Hagia Sophia.

It is open untill 11 pm now in 2021
And It's free of charge for everyone.

Enjoy your visit

It is not so famous Mosque but I visited it and I love the belediye cafe close to it.

Byzantine hospital complex, Venetian headquarters, mosque--an incredible palimpsest of the city, with a beautiful view from the municipal cafe. İt's very unfortunate that it's not a greater tourist destination

Beautiful historic mosque. It actually housed the first madrassa after the conquest of istanbul.

Nice place .you need to visit and set in the cafe in front of it for a panoramic view to HALİC

An amazing place to visit and an incredible historical site. The restoration is magnificent and there are secrets and twinkles to be found for the discerning and curious visitor....!

A nice mosque a little outside of the city center with a nearby Restaurant that also has a view over the city and it is cheap.