Monastery of the Transfiguration, Kinaliada

Istanbul Province, Turkey

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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ReferenceKulturenvanteri↗

The Monastery of the Transfiguration, known locally as Hristo Monastery, is a Byzantine Orthodox foundation established in 1001 on Kınalıada, one of the Prince Islands in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul. Built on one of the island's highest peaks at 93 meters—a summit now called Hristo Peak after the monastery itself—it has served the Greek Orthodox community of Constantinople since the Byzantine period. The monastery gained particular prominence in the 11th century as a place of exile for Byzantine Emperors.