MOLLA ZEYREK MOSQUE (MOLLA ZEYREK CAMII)
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It is a complex of three buildings, the oldest of which is the monastery church dedicated to Christ Pantocrator. Its construction began in 1118 on the initiative of Irene, wife of Alexis I, and after her death John II Comnenus completed it. The dome rests on four columns. The church on the south side is dedicated to the Theotocos Eleoussa (Mother of God with Mercy). Its pavement, made of inlays of hard stones of different colors, represents the works of Hercules, the signs of the zodiac and the seasons in medallions, which appeared during the works carried out by the Byzantine Institute in 1954. The stained glass windows in the apse date from the early years of the reign of John II, around 1130, while the western window is still in its infancy. The two churches are joined by a funerary chapel dedicated to St. Michael, where several Byzantine emperors were buried. Near the tomb of Manuel Comnenus (1143-1180) is placed a red marble slab which is believed to be the slab on which Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus embalmed the body of Christ. The churches were converted into medersas shortly after the capture of Constantinople by Mehmed the Conqueror. It is the first teacher of the college Molla Zeyrek who gives his name to the building. Major restoration work has been carried out. The third is used as a mosque, accessible by stairs.
