The Museum of Chora [antikvár]

sasvsiP'-, The Kariye (Chora) Museum The Kariye Museum, in which we regard the mosaics with a deep sense of admiration, is situated in the Edirnekapi quarter of Istanbul. The name of Kariye is derived from the Greek word "Chora", which means land, country, a suburb or suburban area, as well as countr\'side. The Monastery of Chora was thus named, as it lied outside of the city walls built by the Emperor Constantine. .-Mthough the monastery lied within the walls built by the Emperor Theodosius in 413 A.D., its name still remained unchanged and it was referred to as the Chora. Dtiring the reign of Emperor justinian, the monastery was devastated by an earthquake on October 6, 557. The Emperor had then rebuilt the monastery as a basilica. The monastery was agam in ruins in the Vlll. Century and it was restored again in 843 A.D. After that, the history of the Chora Monaster}' lies in profound darkness until the 11th Centur>'. During the Kommenos dynasty, the monaster}' was again in a heap of ruins. We know that it was restored and rebuilt by Maria Dukaena, the mother-in-law of the Emperor Alexios 1. Komnenos (1081-1118), the third son of Alexios Komnenos, who was the grandson of Maria Dukaena, has taken part in the restoration activities, and hence he was depicted just beside the Virgin in the panel of [esus Christ and the Virgin Mar}'. During the 57 years long duration of the occupation of Istanbul by the Latins from 1204 up to 1261, The Virgin and (he child Jesus, in the apse of the nave.