Zeyrek Mosque

Zeyrek Mosque (Turkish: Molla Zeyrek Camii ) is a mosque in Istanbul. It consists of a complex of three connected former Orthodox churches that made up the former Pantokratorkloster. This was built in 1118-1143 under John II Komnenos as grave lay. In addition to the grave of John Lege are in the middle, dedicated to the Archangel Michael imperial grave lay the resting places of other komnenischer and palaiologischer rule members and Emperor of Byzantium. The Pantokratorkloster is the culmination of the architectural production of Comnenian epoch in the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople in Opel. Particularly characteristic are the second largest after the Hagia Sophia religious building, which is still preserved in Istanbul from this period today, typical of the Byzantine art of Comnenian era rounds as well as much -domed facilities, particularly in the monastic churches of Athos, the religious foundations of Macedonia in Russia, as well as the milutinischen monastic foundations of the Macedonian school were exemplary. As an outstanding reliquary the protection icon of Constantinople, which was kept in the Hodegetria Pantokratorkloster since 1206.

Location

The complex is located in the district of Fatih, about a kilometer southeast of Eski Imaret mosque.

History

Between 1118 and 1124 Byzantine Empress Eirene Comnena was a monastery dedicated to the Christ Pantocrator at this point build. The monastery consisted of a large cross-domed church with three apses and a two-storey narthex, a library and a hospital.

After the death of his wife, shortly after 1134, Emperor John II Komnenos built north of the Pantokrator Church a slightly smaller church almost the same type and dedicated it to the Theotokos Eleousa. In the same year a Typikon was issued that still exists today. This document provides us with a vivid illustration of the organization of the monastery and the ceremonies that took place in the church. Both churches were joined before 1136 by a chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael, the dynasties of the Komnenos and Palaiologos as an imperial mausoleum ( Heroon ) was used. Besides many Byzantine dignitaries, Emperor John II and his wife Eirene, Empress Bertha of Sulzbach were (also known as Eirene, and wife of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos ), and Emperor John V Palaiologos buried here.

During the Latin Empire after the Fourth Crusade, the complex was the seat of the Venetian clergy. The icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria was housed here. The monastery was also the residence of the last Latin Emperor, Baldwin II After the restoration palaiologischen it was inhabited by Orthodox monks. The most famous among them was Gennadius Scho Larios, the first ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople Opel (1454-1464) under Turkish rule.

During the initial years of the reign of Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282-1325), the monastery was used as a prison for political opponents. The son of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin (1282-1321), Stefan III. Decanski was held here with his sons, including Stefan Uroš IV Dušan ( 1313-20 ).

Shortly after the conquest of Constantinople Opel, the building was converted into a mosque, the monastery was for a while a madrasa. The Ottomans named it after Molla Zeyrek, a clergyman, who taught here. Due to its importance to the Byzantine period Zeyrek Mosque is one of the few buildings not got their earlier determination into oblivion. Among other things, Pierre Gilles from the 16th century, in his classic work on the Opel Konstantin Pantokrator Church. The rooms used by the Madrasa disappeared later.

Until a few years ago the building was in a state of disrepair, and was placed by UNESCO on the list of endangered monuments. In recent years, an extensive, though still unfinished, restoration was carried out.

The lying to the east of the building complex Ottoman Konak ( Zeyrek Hane ), has also been renovated and is now a restaurant with tea garden.

41.01972222222228.957222222222Koordinaten: 41 ° 1 ' 11 "N, 28 ° 57' 26" E

Architecture

The komnenische founding monastery consisted of a triple church with discrete but interconnected buildings, the Christ Pantocrator ( South Church ), the Archangel Michael Church (mean church ) and the Mother of God Church ( North Church ) was consecrated. This structure is preserved to this day in the Zeyrek Kilise Mosque. Arachäologische studies show that the Pantokrator Church first, then the Mother of God Church Eleusa and finally the Archangel Church were built. The latter was intended as an imperial grave church of Komnenen.