Odalar Mosque, Byzantine mosque in Salmatomruk district, Istanbul, Turkey
Odalar Mosque is a structure with Byzantine architecture made up of three eastern sections: a central area and two side rooms that extend beyond the main structure. The layout provides insight into how medieval sacred spaces were organized in Constantinople.
The building began as an Orthodox church between the 9th and 10th centuries and was converted to a Catholic church in 1475. In 1640 it became a mosque, while retaining much of its original structure.
The building shows the marks of different believers who prayed here over centuries, each leaving traces of their own worship. Visitors can see these layers in the rooms themselves and understand how a single place held different meanings for different people.
The remains are located near Edirne Gate, where archaeological traces are visible in the courtyards of neighboring residential buildings. Since it is an archaeological site, visitors should be cautious when exploring and accessibility may be limited.
The building contained a subterranean crypt beneath its central apse decorated with frescoes. These paintings depicted the Mother of God and the Christ child surrounded by angels, offering insight into the artistic practices of early medieval churches.
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