This Byzantine church is one of the hidden secrets of Istanbul. It is rarely visited despite the important role it has played in the history of the city and its breathtaking series of mosaics. For over 100 years after the Ottoman conquest it housed the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, but was converted into a mosque in the late 16th century by Murat III . He named it the Mosque of Victoiy to commemorate his conquests of Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The charming exterior is obviously Byzantine, with its alternating stone and brick courses and finely carved marble details. The main body of the building is the working mosque, while the extraordinary mosaics are in a side chapel This now operates as a museum and officially you need to get permission in advance from Haghia Sophia  to see it. However, the caretaker, if around, may simply let you in.

Dating from the 14th century, the great Byzantine renaissance the mosaics show holy figures isolated in a sea of gold, a reflection of the heavens. From the centre of the main dome, Christ Pantocrator ("the All-Powerful"), surrounded by the Old Testament prophets, stares solemnly down. In the apse another figure of Christ, seated on a jewel-encrusted throne, gives his benediction. On either side are portraits of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist beseeching Christ. They are overlooked by the four archangels, while the side apses are filled with other saintly figures. (s1)

It was constructed in 12th century with the order of Johannes Kommenos and his wife and a grave-yard chapel was annexed during the 14th century. After the conquest of Georgia and Azerbaijan, it was transformed in to a mosque in 1591, in honor of the conquest. Named Fethiye Mosque by the Ottomans, now used partially as a mosque and a museum. Fethiye is a Byzantine building which has the most beautiful mosaics after Kariye (St. Chora) and Hagia Sophia. It was used as the Patriarchate church after the conquest between 1455 - 1566 since the St. Apostoli Church of the Patriarchate was planned to be deconstructed. The mosaics which were dedicated to Mary named as the 'happy mother of God' are the typical examples of the Byzantine renaissance, like those in St. Chora. When it was converted into a mosque the mosaics were covered under a white wash. And early in this century, they were cleaned and became visible again. There is a typical Byzantine dome over square plan of the church. The walls of the church were built of elegant stones and bricks. (s4)