Late Byzantium Buildings

All art historians agree on announcing that a final liveliness is observed in Byzantium art during the last period of Byzantium Empire reigned from 1261 to 1453. Despite the regression in the political field of the Empire, a development evidencing itself in cultural life, especially in literature and drawing art, has led this period be called "Renaissance of Palailoges".

There is a subject of this last period's art which practically is not dwelled upon is the architecture. In this period, the Capital, that in Istanbul, as well as having a style of her own in drawing art it is observed that a style peculiar to her is also observed in architecture. Religious buildings in Istanbul of the Paloiologos' period representing the late Byzantium Architecture are described below :
Lips Monastery (Fenari Isa Mosque)
It is located on Vatan Street, Yenibahce section. Patris and Drungarios Constantions had the Lips Monastery built in 1290.
Hagios Andreas Monastery (Kocamustafapasa Mosque)
Built in 1284, the Monastery is located in Cerrahpasa. It was built in the name of Hagios Andreas. It is an example vestibule design. Kocamustafapasa had it converted into a mosque.
Dammakaristos Monastery (Fethiye Mosque)
It is located in Carsamba. It is estimated to have been initiated by Joannes Comnenos who died in 1067. Construction of the main building (1294) and its annexes continued until 1400. The southern building (1315) of Greek cross type, and the northern building of gallery type have been made as an annex to the outer hall (1350-1400). South facade of the building due to use of stone and brick in various forms, has attained a colorful appearance. Its main dome is decorated with mosaics.
Khora Monastery (Kariye Mosque)
It is located in Edirnekapi. It is famous for its mosaics and frescoes. First building was erected outside the walls of Constantinus. Later it was contained within the walls of Theodosius. Remains of the first building have not reached our day. Present building remained from 11th century. It was rebuilt by Maria Doukaina, mother-in-law of Alexios Comnenos I in 1077-1081. It was built according to a plan of single dome seated on four wide arches. Later, when its foundation collapsed, it was rebuilt and additions were made to the building in 1305. Its famous mosaics and frescoes were arranged by Architect Great Logothetes Theodorus Metokhites (1313). This building contains all architectural characteristics of its period.
Subjects of the mosaics in this building may be classified in six categories:
1. In inner and outer narthexes, scenes depicting persecution and offering of the building to God,
2. On two domes of inner narthex, scenes from the life of Jesus,
3. In first three parts of the inner narthex, scenes from the life of Virgin Mary,
4. In sectors of outer narthex, scenes from the childhood of Jesus,
5. On the vaults of outer narthex and in the forth sector of inner narthex, scenes from the prophethood of Jesus,
6. In the naos, an important panel depicting the death of Virgin Mary. Today, the Kariye Mosque is being used as a museum.
Hagios Theodoros Church (Church Mosque Or Molla Gürani Mosque):
Built in the 11Th. century, it bears architectural characteristics of two separate periods. The outer narthex was annexed in the l4th century. Semsettin Molla Gurani converted it to mosque.
Hagios Nicholaos Church (Boudan Palace Worshipping Places):
It is situated Draman and was built between 1300-1350. It is an example of single nave construction plan.
Panaghiotissa Church (Mouhhliotissa Church):
It is situated in Fener and was built in 1266. It is an example of the trefoil construction type. Hagia Panaghia Church: It is located in Heybeliada and is an example of the trefoil construction type. It was built between the years 1400-1450.
Monastery Masjid (Small Mosque):
Situated in Topkapi, it was built between 1261-1300. It is an example of single-nave plan.
Jesus' Gate (Ese Kapisi Masjid):
It is situated in Cerrahpasa and was built in the period of 13001325. It is an example of single nave-plan.
Sinan Pasha Masjid:
It is in the vicinity of Ayakapi. It is an example of single nave plan of the period between 1300-1325.
Khristos Soteros Philanthropos Church:
It is situated in the Marmara walls, on the skirt of Topkapi Palace and was built between 1310-1320. Facade of lower floor of the building bears the characteristics of late Byzantium architecture.