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Jewel of Byzantium: Istanbul's Church of the Holy Savior in Chora with Dr. Thomas Madden

Jewel of Byzantium: Istanbul's Church of the Holy Savior in Chora with Dr. Thomas Madden


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

To visit the Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) in Istanbul is an experience like none other. With its walls and ceilings covered in remarkably preserved frescoes and mosaics from the early fourteenth century, it welcomes all to the rich culture of Byzantium, a civilization that has long since passed away. Revealed only in the 1940s, the vibrant art of Chora depicts intimate scenes of the life of the Virgin Mary, moving images of Christ's ministry, and majestic panoramas of the Last Judgment and the Harrowing of Hell.

In this seminar, author and historian Dr. Thomas F. Madden will guide participants through the history of this remarkable structure and introduce some of the extraordinary artistic achievements found in its lush decoration. With the recent Turkish decision to convert Chora into a mosque and the fear that this has evoked for the future of this building, this seminar is of especially timely interest.

Interested in further seminars on Istanbul and its religious buildings? Dr. Thomas F. Madden presents a seminar on Hagia Sophia.

Thomas F Madden is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University. As an author and historical consultant, he has appeared in such venues as The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The History Channel. He is a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Medieval Academy of America, and he is a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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(7)
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N
N. (Dallas, US)

Guest did not leave comment

N
N. (Dallas, US)
Fabulous examples of mosaics

Guest did not leave comment

G
Grace E Suttle (Charlottesville, US)
Chora

Excellent

J
Jo (Pittsburgh, US)
Mosaic and Fresco Splendor in Istanbul

I have taken Dr Madden's Istanbul six-part course and enjoyed it immensely. This was a nice addition to all the information I gathered in that course. It was wonderful to have the time to explore one of the beautiful Istanbul churches in such detail. I can't stress enough how much I have learned about a part of the world I knew little about before Dr Madden's talks. I highly recommend both his seminars and multi-part courses. You won't be disappointed.

F
Freddie (Highlands, US)
Explained what I saw three years ago when jetlagged

This church is often missed by the tourists but I sought it out on a short trip three years ago. Unfortunately I had not done my homework beforehand. This hour with Dr Madden helped me understand what I saw that day. Wish I had the knowledge before my visit but so glad to have traveled extensively before the pandemic and that Context is making these virtual trips available.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
100%
(7)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
N
N. (Dallas, US)

Guest did not leave comment

N
N. (Dallas, US)
Fabulous examples of mosaics

Guest did not leave comment

G
Grace E Suttle (Charlottesville, US)
Chora

Excellent

J
Jo (Pittsburgh, US)
Mosaic and Fresco Splendor in Istanbul

I have taken Dr Madden's Istanbul six-part course and enjoyed it immensely. This was a nice addition to all the information I gathered in that course. It was wonderful to have the time to explore one of the beautiful Istanbul churches in such detail. I can't stress enough how much I have learned about a part of the world I knew little about before Dr Madden's talks. I highly recommend both his seminars and multi-part courses. You won't be disappointed.

F
Freddie (Highlands, US)
Explained what I saw three years ago when jetlagged

This church is often missed by the tourists but I sought it out on a short trip three years ago. Unfortunately I had not done my homework beforehand. This hour with Dr Madden helped me understand what I saw that day. Wish I had the knowledge before my visit but so glad to have traveled extensively before the pandemic and that Context is making these virtual trips available.