In Istanbul and Asia Minor the architecture of the Komnenian period is almost non-existent , with the notable exceptions of the Elmali Kilise and other rock sanctuaries of Cappadocia , and of the Churches of the Pantokrator and of the Theotokos Kyriotissa in Istanbul . Most examples of this architectural style and many of the other older Byzantine styles only survive on the outskirts of the Byzantine world , as most of the most significant and ancient churches / buildings were in Asia Minor , but unfortunately in World War I almost all churches that ended up within Turkish borders were destroyed , converted into mosques , or abandoned in the Greek and Christian genocides spanning from 1915 – 1923 . Only national forms of architecture can be found in abundance due to this . Those styles can be found in many Transcaucasian countries ; such as Russia , Bulgaria , Serbia , Croatia and other Slavic lands ; and also in Sicily ( Cappella Palatina ) and Veneto ( St Mark 's Basilica , Torcello Cathedral )
Greek and Christian genocides
Greek genocide
Byzantine architecture