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Eski Imaret Mosque (Eski Imaret Camii) is a former Byzantine church in Fatih, Istanbul, traditionally identified as the Monastery of Christ Pantepoptes. Built in the 11th century, it is the only intact church from that period in the city, yet remains one of the least studied.
Originally a convent founded by Anna Dalassena before 1087, it became a Roman Catholic church during the Latin occupation (1204–1261). After the Ottoman conquest (1453), it was converted into a mosque, while monastic buildings served as a zaviye, medrese, and imaret for the Fatih Mosque.
The building features Middle Byzantine architecture, a cross-in-square plan, and a U-shaped gallery, possibly for the Empress-Mother. Its scalloped dome and recessed brick technique make it architecturally significant. The original interior is mostly lost, except for some marble details.
Restored in the 1970s and 1990s, another restoration began in 2015 but was later halted. As of 2024, it remains under restoration.
References:Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.