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Exonártex (Nártex Exterior)
The exonarthex is the outermost transverse corridor of Kariye Camii — 4 m wide and 23 m long — serving as the first point of entry. It opens partly onto the inner narthex and connects at its south end to the parecclesion antechamber.
Esonártex (Nártex Interior)
The esonarthex runs parallel to the exonarthex — 4 m wide and 18 m long — linking the entrance to the naos and parecclesion. It retains some of the finest mosaics, including Theodore Metochites presenting a model of the church to Christ.
Naos (Nave Principal)
The naos is the church's main body, dominated by its largest dome — 7.7 m in diameter. Unfurnished and sparsely decorated, the space feels austere, its marble surfaces suffused with cool blue and green tones in the subdued light.
Paraclesion (Capilla Funeraria)
The parecclesion is the funerary chapel adjoining Kariye Camii, to the right of the exonarthex. Its walls and ceilings are covered in frescoes centred on resurrection and salvation, and it houses the tombs of the complex's most distinguished patrons.
Fresco de la Anastasis
The Anastasis fresco presides over the apse of the parecclesion and is the masterpiece of Kariye Camii. It depicts the Harrowing of Hell — a key scene in the theology of salvation that complements the narrative mosaic cycle of the narthex.
Mosaico de la Koimesis (Dormición de la Virgen)
Above the central doorway of the naos, this mosaic shows Christ holding a swaddled infant representing Mary's soul at her passing — a striking reversal of the traditional Madonna and Child image.
Mosaico del Cristo Pantocrátor
The Christ Pantocrator mosaic sits above the portal linking the exonarthex to the inner narthex, making it the first powerful image encountered on entering the complex and the visual anchor of the entire iconographic programme.
Arcosolio con la tumba de Teodoro Metoquites
Set into the north wall of the parecclesion, this arcosolium is the final resting place of Theodore Metochites — the statesman and humanist who funded and oversaw the complex's remarkable 14th-century interior decoration.
Arcosolio con la tumba de Miguel Tornikes
Set into the south wall of the parecclesion, the arcosolium of Michael Tornikes forms one of two honorary tombs that flank the frescoes symmetrically, lending a sense of solemnity to this sacred funerary space.
- 1.Exonártex (Nártex Exterior)
- 2.Esonártex (Nártex Interior)
- 3.Naos (Nave Principal)
- 4.Paraclesion (Capilla Funeraria)
- 5.Fresco de la Anastasis
- 6.Mosaico de la Koimesis (Dormición de la Virgen)
- 7.Mosaico del Cristo Pantocrátor
- 8.Arcosolio con la tumba de Teodoro Metoquites
- 9.Arcosolio con la tumba de Miguel Tornikes
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