The building, which is one of the most beautiful examples of Late Byzantine Churches, has a high pulley dome. It has three entrances with porticoes in the north, west and south. The main dome of the building is covered with different vaults. The roof is covered with tiles by giving different elevations. In addition to the Christian art, the effects of the Seljuk Period Islamic art can be seen in the decorations, where a superior stonemasonry is seen.
It is on the coastal highway at the western entrance of the city. The building, which is a monumental museum, is one of the most important Byzantine structures in Trabzon. It was built as a monastery church between 1238 and 1263, during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos, using the Byzantine provincial style in harmony with the Georgian onion dome and Seljuk stonework. After the conquest of Trabzon by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, it was converted into a mosque in 1511 and became a foundation work. The building, which was used as a mosque for many years, underwent a radical repair in 1864. After being used as a warehouse and military hospital for a while during the First World War, it was used as a mosque again.
Between 1958 and 1962, it was restored with the cooperation of the General Directorate of Foundations and Edinburgh University, the frescoes were cleaned and opened as a museum after 1964. The construction of the bell tower, located 25 meters west of the museum, was dated to 1426-27. It is thought that the tower was used to observe the stars and even to give astronomy lessons, and that the tower was probably also used as a lighthouse. After the time prayer was held on Friday, 28 June 2013, it was reopened as a mosque after 52 years. The building, which is used as a mosque and whose historical features have been preserved, is open to local and foreign visitors.
