Platytera Church

Platytera Church, also known as the Monastery of the Theotokos Platytera, is a historic Byzantine church located in Istanbul. Its name means “More Spacious” because it was built to honor the Virgin Mary, regarded as the "more spacious" than the heaven due to her role as the Mother of God. The church features stunning mosaics and architecture typical of 6th-century Byzantine design, highlighting its religious and cultural significance. It served as a significant religious site and illustrates early Christian art and devotion, especially to Mary, reflecting the Byzantine Empire’s spirituality and artistic heritage.