Native name: Studios Monastery
Ilyas Bey Mosque (known also as Studios Monastery) was built between 454 and 463 . The building was devoted to baptist Yohannes . In the 9th century , it became a cultural center where hundreds of monks lived . One of the wonders of the place is the remains of the 13th century floor mosaics that can still be seen on the floor of the building today . The building was converted into a mosque by Ilyas Bey in 1486 after the conquest of İstanbul . Earthquakes and fires caused continuous damage to the building throughout the years and it was in 1908 that the roof of the building collapsed and thus any efforts of restoration to the building became impossible . From that time till today the mosque still has its destructed view .
In 1907 , a sarcophagus and mosaic pieces belonging to
Byzantine
period were found in the site and are now presented in
Istanbul
Archaeology Museum . The building , although in ruined condition today , is very important because it still bares the architectural features of Early Christianism .
