Chora Church - Kariye Museum The word 'Kariye' in Turkish is derived from the ancient Greek word 'chora', meaning 'outside of or beyond the city (land)'. Records show that a chapel existed outside the city before the construction of the city walls in the 5th century. The first Chora Church was rebuilt by Justinianus (527-565) on the site of this chapel. However, it was destroyed during the Latin invasion (1204-1261). Andronikos II restored it in 1328, impressed by its architecture and history after seeing it on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Chora Church's mosaics and frescoes are considered to be some of the most beautiful examples from this period, showcasing a distinctive style characterized by depth, movement, and elongated figures. After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the building was used as a church. It was later converted into a mosque by Vizier Hadim Ali Pasha in 1511, before being transformed into a museum in 1945. During the restoration and renovation of the building between 1948 and 1959, frescoes were discovered on the walls that had been covered up during an initial renovation following its conversion into a mosque.