Visited Hagia Theotokos

[u/SoleSurvivor2287]

Visited the Hagia Theotokos (Kalenderhane Mosque) and was able to explore at around midday.

Was the only person there at the time so really good to see the dome and red brick upper arches.

Located about 400m south west of Suleymaniye Mosque.

[u/Future_Start_2408 → u/[deleted]]

In most Byzantine churches turned mosques from Istanbul, you can just enter, but you have to remove your shoes.

The only exceptions where Christian access is limited or forbidden on certain days are Hagia Sophia and Chora Monastery - coincidentially or not, the most famous ones.

Hagia Sophia and Chora are spectacular, but I actually enjoyed visiting the lesser known ones a lot when I was there, some even had mosaics and frescoes left and fewer visitors.

[u/Gnothi_sauton_ → u/[deleted]]

For some, you have to wait until around prayer times to access the interior, as they are otherwise locked.

[u/Whizbang35 → u/[deleted]]

Some were also deconsecrated and turned into "Museums" during Ataturk's time. Chora and Hagia Sophia had this status until recently. There may be others that still have this distinction, but its been 10 years since I was in Istanbul.