Fethiye Camii (Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos)

Fethiye Camii (Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos) Review

This 12th-century church, originally part of a convent, served as the seat of the Orthodox Patriarchate from 1456 to 1587 and was then converted into a mosque, Fethiye Camii. While the main church building continues to function as a mosque, the beautiful side chapel has been turned into a small museum, with well-restored mosaics that are some of the best anywhere. The dome shows Christ Pantocrator ("ruler of all") surrounded by Old Testament prophets, while figures of Christ, saints, and patriarchs adorn the walls. In this chapel, Mehmet the Conqueror would talk religion and politics with his hand-picked patriarch, Gennadius.