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Iznik (İznik) corresponds to ancient Nicaea, an important city in early Christian history and, briefly, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
History of Iznik
What is now Iznik may originally have been settled by the Bottiaeans, possibly under the names Ancore (Ἀγκόρη) or Helicore (Ἑλικόρη). Around 315 BC, the settlement fell to Antigonus I Monophthalmus (382–301 BC), one of the successors of Alexander the Great, who re-founded it as Antigoneia (Ἀντιγονεία). After defeating Antigonus at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC, Lysimachus took control of the city and renamed it Nicaea (Νίκαια) in honor of his recently deceased wife. Sometime before 280 BC, it passed into the hands of the Bithynian kings and became the seat of their royal court.
Nicaea became part of the Roman Republic in 72 BC and remained one of the most important cities in Asia Minor throughout the Roman period. Emperor Hadrian visited in AD 123 and initiated a major rebuilding program following a devastating earthquake. Although new fortifications were constructed, the city walls were not completed until the 3rd century, and despite these defenses, Nicaea was sacked by the Goths in AD 258.
Christianity and the Capital of an Empire
After the Roman Empire adopted Christianity during the reign of Constantine the Great, Nicaea emerged as a major Christian center. The First and Second Council of Nicaea — the first and seventh Ecumenical Councils — were held there in 325 and 787, respectively. At the First Council, the Nicene Creed was adopted, affirming that Jesus was of the same essence as God the Father and thereby laying the foundation for Christian doctrine. The Second Council addressed the iconoclasm controversy, recognizing the legitimacy of venerating images of Christ and the saints and forbidding the secular appointment of bishops.
The Seljuks captured Nicaea in 1081 and made it the capital of the Sultanate of Rum until 1097, when it was retaken by the Byzantines. During the 12th century, the city prospered. In 1204, following the Sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade and the subsequent establishment of the Latin Empire, it became the de facto capital of the Byzantine Empire.
The Empire of Nicaea, established by Theodore Laskaris (c. 1175–1221) as a Byzantine government-in-exile, ruled from the city until the reconquest of Constantinople in 1261. During this period, the Ecumenical Patriarchate was also based in Nicaea.
Iznik during the Ottoman Period
Nicaea declined in importance after the Byzantine capital returned to Constantinople. Following a three-year siege led by Sultan Orhan, the city fell to the Ottomans on March 2, 1331, and became known as Iznik. Many public buildings were dismantled, and their materials reused in the construction of mosques and other structures. Hagia Sophia of Nicaea was converted into the Orhan Mosque.
After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Iznik continued to lose political importance. However, during the 16th century it emerged as one of the leading centers of pottery and tile production in Anatolia. Highly prized Iznik tiles were used to decorate many imperial mosques in Constantinople. The ceramics industry declined in the 17th century, along with the city itself, as noted by several European travelers:
- English clergyman John Covel (1638–1722) visited in 1677 and reported that only ⅓ of the town was occupied.
- English traveller Richard Pococke (1704–1765) described Iznik as “no more than a village” in 1745.
- In 1779, Italian archaeologist Domenico Sestini (1750–1832) wrote that it was “nothing but an abandoned town with no life, no noise, and no movement”.
- English antiquary James Dallaway (1763–1834), writing in 1797, described Iznik as “a wretched village of long lanes and mud walls…”.
In July 1920, during the Greco-Turkish War, Greek forces occupied Iznik and caused significant damage. The Turkish Army retook the city later that year, on November 28.
Modern Iznik
Today, Iznik is a quiet agricultural town scattered with the remnants of two great empires. Still relatively off the beaten path, visitors can see the city walls, a Roman theatre, the remains of Byzantine churches, functioning Ottoman mosques, and two well-regarded museums. A small beach also lines the shore of Lake Iznik (İznik Gölü).
One of the most important moments in Iznik’s recent history occurred on November 28, 2025, when Pope Leo XIV joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak II Mashalian, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Yonan, and several other Christian leaders, to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. At the site of the Basilica of St. Neophytos, they recited the Nicene Creed and prayed together, delivering a message of unity and peace.
Walls of Nicaea
The walls of Nicaea are among the best-preserved examples of late Roman and Byzantine defensive architecture. Initial construction began in the 2nd century, likely following a visit by Emperor Hadrian, and the fortifications were completed in their major form during the 3rd century.
Running approximately 4.4 kilometers (2.7 miles) around the ancient city, the walls were rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries.They underwent major restoration under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century and were further reinforced after Nicaea briefly became the capital of the Byzantine Empire in 1204. Following the Ottoman capture of the city in 1331, the walls continued to be maintained.
The walls were constructed using limestone blocks and brick, incorporating spolia taken from earlier Roman buildings. Originally, they featured more than 100 towers spaced at intervals of roughly 40 to 50 meters. Many of these towers remain standing today, with some reaching heights of up to 15 meters.
In addition to the towers, the fortifications included four monumental gates, each roughly aligned with one of the cardinal directions. In their fully developed form, these gates employed a triple defensive system, with outer and inner doors separated by an enclosed courtyard.
Constantinople Gate
The Constantinople Gate, also known as the Istanbul Gate (İstanbul Kapısı), served as the northern entrance to Iznik. It originated as a triumphal arch intended to enhance the city’s prestige. Marcus Plancius Varus, proconsul in the second half of the 1st century during the reigns of Vespasian and Titus, oversaw its construction, with financial support from Gaius Cassius Khrestos of Nicaea. The arch was repaired by Emperor Hadrian after it sustained damage during an earthquake around AD 120.
The triumphal arch now forms the central passage of the Constantinople Gate. It consists of a wide main opening flanked by smaller pedestrian doors on either side. Arched niches above the side passages once housed statues of prominent individuals, while the architrave above was decorated with a sculpted frieze.
In the 3rd century, the arch was incorporated into the city’s defensive walls, becoming the north gate of Nicaea. Towers were added on both sides, connected by an arched brick superstructure above the arch. An additional inner door was installed on the city-facing side to slow potential attackers.
In the 13th century, a second line of fortifications was constructed in front of the 3rd-century walls, adding a third door to the north gate complex. This outer gate was built using spolia columns and reliefs and flanked by semi-cylindrical bastions on either side.
Archaeological excavations and restoration work carried out in 2017 uncovered the foundations of Byzantine residential buildings, a mosaic, and an Ottoman-period road.
Lefke Gate
The Lefke Gate (Lefke Kapısı) served as the eastern entrance to the city. Similar in design to the Constantinople Gate, it featured a triple-arched central entrance along with additional outer and inner doors. The road passing through the gate led east toward the modern town of Osmaneli, historically known as Lefke.
At the core of the Lefke Gate is a triumphal arch. Inscriptions on the inner and outer architraves record its construction by Marcus Plancius Varus in the 1st century and repairs carried out under Emperor Hadrian in AD 123. The wide central passage accommodated chariots and carriages, while pedestrians used the narrower side doors. As with the Constantinople Gate, arched niches above the pedestrian entrances once held sculptures of prominent individuals.
The outer section of the Lefke Gate was protected by two round towers, separated from the triumphal arch by a small courtyard. Spolia incorporated into the surrounding structures — including reliefs and column fragments —are still visible, reflecting the reuse of earlier architectural elements in the gate’s later defensive phases.
Roman Aqueduct
An aqueduct constructed during the Roman period is connected to the Lefke Gate. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian, it channeled water from a spring located about 800 meters to the east. Before being distributed throughout the city via a secondary aqueduct system, the water was collected in a storage pool.
According to an inscription, residents living near the aqueduct were warned not to damage the structure or the surrounding trees, under threat of punishment. During the Ottoman period, a fountain was added next to the Lefke Gate, and it continued to be used alongside the aqueduct until the 20th century.
Southern Gate
The southern gate of Nicaea is known today as the Yenişehir Gate (Yenişehir Kapısı). Like the city’s other monumental gates, it was constructed as a multi-stage defensive complex composed of three successive doors. The outer door, set into the outer wall, was flanked and protected by two round towers.
The middle door was positioned 10.75 meters north of the outer door and consisted of a single opening measuring approximately 3.5 meters wide, 5.05 meters high, and 3.95 meters deep. Its side walls were destroyed at an unknown date and later reattached to the surrounding fortifications.
The inner door lay a further 11.35 meters north of the middle door. Very little of this structure survives today; only a single section remains, measuring about 2.1 meters wide and 2.7 meters high.
Adjacent to the round tower on the east side of the middle door, a large pithos remains in situ and is now enclosed by a protective fence. Archaeological excavations at the site have also revealed additional foundations in the immediate area.
Lake Gate
The Lake Gate (Göl Kapısı) served as the western entrance to the city. Today it’s almost completely destroyed, with only the southern foundation and the lower half of the northern tower still standing. A short stretch of the city walls adjacent to the gate survives on the north side and is accessible on foot.
Hagia Sophia
The most important monument in Iznik is Hagia Sophia (Ἁγία Σοφία). Now functioning as the Hagia Sophia Mosque (Ayasofya Camii), it was originally constructed as a Byzantine basilica and stands today in a park at the heart of the city.
The first church on the site was begun in 325, likely replacing a Roman-period gymnasium. In the mid-6th century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, it was rebuilt on a larger scale. This Justinianic church hosted the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which formally marked the end of Byzantine Iconoclasm. The building was destroyed by an earthquake in the 11th century, and the present structure was completed around 1065 on its ruins.
After Nicaea fell to the Ottomans in 1331, the church was converted into the Orhan Mosque (Orhan Camii). Following a devastating fire in the 16th century, the building was repaired by Mimar Sinan (c. 1490–1588) during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. It remained in use as a mosque until the late 18th century, after which it was abandoned and fell into ruin. In 1935, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (c. 1881–1938) designated the building as a museum. Excavations carried out in 1935 and 1953 revealed the lower portions of the exterior walls, buried approximately 2.5 meters below ground level. Restoration work between 2007 and 2011 culminated in its controversial reconversion into a mosque on November 6, 2011.
Interior of Hagia Sophia
Architecturally, the building consists of a central nave flanked by two aisles. Prior to its conversion into a mosque, the interior featured two rows of triple arcades supporting a clerestory wall pierced by five windows.
Immediately inside the entrance is a restored opus sectile floor, reconstructed using original material recovered during excavations.
Walking through the left aisle to the apse, you’ll encounter the synthronon — a semicircular bench reserved for clergy. A mosaic decorates the floor directly in front of it.
In the chapel to the right of the apse stands a sarcophagus. Looking up towards the dome and along the walls, you can see faint traces of the iconographic frescoes that once decorated the church.
You’ll see more poorly preserved frescoes under the dome on the left side of the apse:
Iznik Clock Tower
The Iznik Clock Tower (İznik Saat Kulesi), inaugurated in 2017, stands in the roundabout next to Hagia Sophia. Rising 9 meters high, the tower is composed of eight distinct levels, each representing a cultural or historical feature of the town. The lowest level incorporates marble motifs found at the Roman theatre, followed by a Seljuk star topped with a stone decoration taken from the Green Mosque.
The next level features Iznik tile panels representing the city’s four gates, followed by two additional levels decorated with classic Iznik tile patterns. Second from the top is a clock with different numerals on each face, intended to honor the four civilizations that ruled the town. At the very top sits a block bearing the Turkish flag.
Iznik Government House
On the northwest corner of the roundabout stands the old Iznik Government House (İznik Hükümet Konağı). Built in the early 20th century, it served as the local administrative center during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods. Today, it functions as a tax office, with a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk standing in front.
Mahmud Çelebi Mosque
A block south of Hagia Sophia stands the Mahmud Çelebi Mosque (Mahmud Çelebi Camii). It was built between 1442 and 1443 by Mahmud Pasha, a vizier under Sultan Murad II. He was the son of Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha (d. 1429) and grandson of Çandarlı Halil Hayreddin Pasha (c. 1330–1387), both of whom served as Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire.
The mosque features a three-bay portico and a small domed prayer hall. Each wall is pierced by four windows, with two additional windows set into the drum of the dome. A single minaret rises from the northwest corner. Most of the interior calligraphy hasn’t survived. Mahmud Pasha’s tomb, located immediately behind the mosque, may be symbolic rather than an actual burial site.
Murad II Hamam
Across the street to the east stands the Murad II Hamam (II. Murad Hamamı). Built in the 15th century, it’s a double bath complex, with one section still in operation today.
At the time of writing, only the men’s section has been restored. The women’s section has been repurposed as a small museum displaying Iznik tiles and ceramics.
Iznik Tile Kilns Excavation
The open area next to the hamam is the Iznik Tile Kilns Excavation (İznik Çini Fırınları Kazısı). Istanbul University (İstanbul Üniversitesi) began researching Iznik ceramics and tiles in 1963, carrying out excavations at multiple locations across the city. Work was interrupted in 1969 and resumed in 1981, with systematic excavations at this particular site continuing regularly since 1984.
The site preserves remains of Roman- and Byzantine-period buildings alongside Ottoman-era tile workshops. Nine kilns dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries are still visible. Archaeologists have also uncovered approximately 10,000 tile and ceramic fragments, which are now part of the Iznik Museum’s collection.
Çandarlıoğlu Mosque
The Çandarlıoğlu Mosque (Çandarlıoğlu Camii) stands a couple of blocks west of Hagia Sophia on Kılıçaslan Street. It’s a modern Ottoman-style mosque built in 1996 and isn’t especially notable, except for its façade, which is covered in Iznik tiles.
Roman Theatre of Nicaea
In the southwest part of the city is the Roman Theatre of Nicaea (İznik Roma Tiyatrosu). Constructed in the early 2nd century during the reign of Emperor Trajan, it remained in use in various forms until the 17th century. According to Pliny the Younger (61–c. 113), who served as governor of Bithynia, the theatre was still under construction in AD 111. The site is open daily, and admission is free (as of December 2025).
Cemetery Church
Following the suggested path through the site, you’ll first come across the Cemetery Church, located directly opposite the security booth. Dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, it was constructed using stone, brick, and spolia from the Roman theatre. The church measures 17.8 by 11.9 meters and originally included an eastern apse, six burial chambers, and additional rooms along the north and south walls. Vaulted rooms were interconnected by a series of passages.
Fragments
Continuing along, just past the security booth on your left, you’ll come across a collection of fragments unearthed at the site.
The most striking piece is an inscription that once adorned the entrance arch. It dates to around AD 115–116 and retains traces of red paint. Most notably, it declares that Nicaea held the status of neokoros (imperial cult center) and metropolis (provincial capital) during the reign of Trajan. The inscription reads:
To Emperor Traianus Caesar Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, for the Holy Senate and the People of Rome, during the governorship of Proconsul Marcus Julius Alpinus Classicianus, Nicaea, neokoros and metropolis. The foremost city of Bithynia and Pontus.
Necropolis
Just beyond the fragments, a dirt mound contains skeletons, showing that the area around the theatre served as a necropolis. Most of the individuals are adult males, buried rather carelessly. Many display injuries inflicted by weapons, suggesting they were killed in battle — possibly during the First or Fourth Crusades.
Infrastructural Vaults
You’ll enter the theatre for the first time through one of its vaults. The Roman Theatre of Nicaea is the only known example in Anatolia built entirely on a flat area supported solely by vaults. Seven trapezoidal vaults hold up the lower cavea (seating area), while ten barrel vaults support the middle cavea. The vaults were constructed without binding material, using an overlapping technique with keystones at the center.
All seven trapezoidal vaults are linked by narrow corridors, while the barrel vaults connect to the trapezoidal vaults through doors. Access to the orchestra was possible through a single door in the central vault — no other vaults offered passage.
Colonnaded Galleries
After passing through the vaults to the left of the central vault, you’ll exit the theatre into the west colonnaded gallery. Letters from Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan in AD 111 indicate that the public assembly, together with philanthropic citizens, commissioned colonnaded galleries on both the east and west sides of the stage building. These galleries not only monumentalized the theatre’s entrances but also served as spaces for receptions.
Construction of the two-story colonnaded galleries occurred during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Each gallery measured 11 × 11 meters and featured four columns on each side, for a total of 24 Corinthian columns across the upper and lower levels. Hermae decorated the spaces between the parapets on the upper floor — a column–parapet–herm–parapet–column arrangement not found in any other two-story gallery in the Roman Empire.
Pillars
Walking up the stairs to the platform above the seating area, you’ll notice the pillars behind the theatre. Excavations revealed that they once supported galleries on the third floor. The surviving pillars measure 3.7 × 2.6 meters and are spaced roughly 2.3 meters apart. It’s believed that there were originally 28. Inscriptions can still be seen on the extant examples.
Cavea
Turning to face the theatre, you’ll get a clear view of the cavea. This 10,000-seat theatre measures 102 × 79 meters and rises 24 meters high.
In the 13th century, a three-nave basilica with a narthex was constructed atop the northeast section of the cavea, which had been completely buried. Today, only the north nave — measuring 13.3 × 11.42 meters — remains intact. The rest of the structure collapsed during an earthquake. Grave niches line the north, south, and west walls, and the surviving wall is protected behind a fence.
Tribunalia
At the northeast and northwest corners of the cavea are the tribunalia, perched above vaulted passages. These were reserved for high-ranking officials and upper-class citizens, providing privileged seating separated from the rest of the audience and accessed via private staircases.
Stage Building
The foundations of the stage building, believed to have been two stories high, are still preserved. It measured roughly 54 × 13 meters and had five entrances facing the audience, with three more at the rear. The rooms were used for storing and changing props and costumes during performances.
The façade, or scaenae frons, included four niches framed by Corinthian columns and was richly decorated. Excavations revealed ivy motifs, acanthus leaves, and fragments of figures such as Heracles, Perseus, Pegasus, and others. Additional entrances connected the stage to the cavea.
Orchestra
The orchestra of the Roman Theatre of Nicaea was slightly horseshoe-shaped. A wall separated it from the lower cavea, creating space between performers and the audience and allowing staff to move unseen. Excavated slabs suggest that the floor was richly decorated with marble. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the theatre hosted not only performances but also gladiatorial games.
Frescoes
After the 4th century and the spread of Christianity, the Roman Theatre of Nicaea lost its original function and was repurposed for religious use. Frescoes were painted on the walls between the cavea and orchestra on both sides of the central entrance.
On the east side, the Virgin Mary and Christ were depicted. The Christ fresco measures 1.42 meters high and 78 centimeters wide, with a white background decorated with colored stones. The Virgin Mary fresco — 3.15 meters long and 1.5 meters high — shows her seated on a high-backed throne with Christ on her lap. Cross and garland motifs were painted to the west of the entrance.
Additionally, a wall constructed from spolia — including Corinthian capitals, columns, and architrave blocks — was erected in front of the stage building to control entrances and exits.
Cult of Nemesis
The northeast wall of the cavea contains inscriptions on two small niches dedicated to the deity Nemesis, who symbolizes justice and retribution. Statues and offerings to Nemesis were commonly found in theatres where gladiatorial contests took place. The inscription reads:
ΑΓΑΘΗΙ ΤΥΧΙ
ΘΕΑΣ ΤΑΣ ΝΕΜΕΣΕΙΣ
ΑΙΛΙΑΝΟΣ ΑΣΚΛΗΠΙΟΔΟΤΟΣ
ΓΝΩΜΟΝΗΚΟΣ ΑΝΕΘΗΚΕΝ
Good Luck!
Goddess Nemesis
Ailianos Asklepiodotos
Sundial expert erected
Ottoman Kilns
Finally, before leaving the site, don’t miss the Ottoman kilns, built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Since Iznik was a major center of tile and ceramic production during the Ottoman period, the areas in and around the vaults of the Roman Theatre of Nicaea were reused for this industry. Archaeologists excavated 11 kilns, two workshops, and numerous ceramic fragments and other materials. The finds date from the 9th to the 17th century, showing that the Byzantines also used the theatre for ceramic production.
Lake Iznik
Detouring west for a moment, you’ll reach the shore of Lake Iznik (İznik Gölü). The fifth-largest natural lake in Turkey, it stretches 32 kilometers (20 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide, with a maximum depth of about 80 meters (260 feet). In antiquity, it was known as Askania (Ἀσκανία). Along the shore, you’ll find a small beach with picnic tables, recreational areas, and cafés across the street.
Basilica of St. Neophytos
In 2014, an aerial photography survey revealed the remains of a 4th-century Byzantine basilica along the shore south of the beach. The Basilica of St. Neophytos was constructed sometime after 390 and destroyed by an earthquake around 740. It was dedicated to St. Neophytos, who was martyred near the lake before Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire. An earlier church on the site may have witnessed the First Council of Nicaea in 325, although the council itself took place in the imperial palace built by Constantine the Great — now submerged beneath the lake.
The basilica was submerged at a depth of about 2–3 meters and roughly 50 meters from the shoreline, but receding water levels have exposed portions of it on dry land. It measures approximately 41 meters long and 18.5 meters wide and originally featured an atrium, narthex, a nave with two aisles, an apse, and pastophoria (side chambers).
A museum has been established at the site, but it wasn’t yet open to the public at the time of my last visit — the official opening took place on October 28, 2025. According to information posted on the door, the Lake Iznik Basilica Archaeological Site (İznik Göl Bazilikası Örenyeri) is open daily except Mondays. Admission for foreigners is €3 (as of December 2025). A platform allows visitors to approach the foundations and view some of the graves uncovered during excavations.
So-Called Senatus Palace
On the north end of the beach are the supposed ruins of the Senatus Palace (Senato Sarayı). Some modern guidebooks and tour guides mistakenly identify it as the site of the First Council of Nicaea.
Ancient sources indicate that the council was held in an audience hall within the imperial palace — not in a church or civic building. The so-called Senatus Palace was more likely an administrative center where local elites or officials met. No definitive inscription or archaeological evidence confirms that it functioned as a “senate.”
Church Ruins
Back along Atatürk Street, a short walk north of the southern gate, you’ll find the ruins of a church measuring roughly 22 × 18 meters. Although it hasn’t been definitively identified, local maps label it as the Church of St. Tryphon (Hagios Tryphonos Kilisesi). The actual Church of St. Tryphon, built by Emperor Theodore II Laskaris around 1255, is believed to have stood a few blocks south of the Constantinople Gate.
The church featured a narthex, a nave flanked by side aisles, a large dome, and a triple apse. The entire site is fenced in, but you can enter through an unlocked gate on the west side.
Church of Koimisis Theotokou
In the southeast corner of the city are the remains of the Church of Koimisis Theotokou (Ἐκκλησία τῆς Κοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου / Koimeses tes Theotokos Kilisesi). Researchers suggest the first construction phase took place between the 6th and 8th centuries, and the church was originally part of a monastery founded by a monk named Hyakinthos. It was decorated with mosaics, which were destroyed during Byzantine Iconoclasm and restored in 843, signed by Naukratios.
The church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin and actively used until 1922, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1065 and rebuilt under Constantine X. When Emperor Theodore I Laskaris founded the Empire of Nicaea, he declared it the Metropolitan Church of Nicaea. He was later buried there, and it’s believed that the relics of St. Neophytos were also transferred to the church. The area around the ruins remained a Christian neighborhood until the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey.
The church measures 22.5 × 21 meters. The narthex is accessed through three doors on the west side. The domed nave is square and separated from the rectangular side aisles by two columns. A synthronon with seven steps sits in the apse. Mosaics from four different periods decorated the interior. Today, only the foundations remain, with some fragments scattered across the site.
Holy Spring
A Byzantine-period holy spring, dated to the 6th century, sits in an empty lot just a few steps to the east. Travelers’ accounts indicate that religious ceremonies were held there until the end of the 19th century, and it continued to function as a holy spring until 1921.
You can reach the spring via a concrete stairway. At the center is a pool measuring 1.1 × 1 meter, featuring a 2nd-century menorah figure and a Hebrew inscription:
Each body is given what is good because its grace is eternal.
The circular structure is topped by a dome and contains four niches — three arched and one angular. Spolia from the early Byzantine period were used in parts of the walls. One reused block bears a Greek inscription referring to the “Tower of His Highness Christian Emperor and King Michael.”
Hacı Özbek Mosque
On Kılıçaslan Street, east of Hagia Sophia, stands the Hacı Özbek Mosque (Hacı Özbek Camii). Built in 1332–33 by the philanthropist Hacı Özbek bin Muhammed, it’s the oldest Ottoman structure whose inscription has survived and the earliest known example of a central-domed mosque in Western Anatolia. Some sources also describe it as the first mosque built during the Ottoman period. The mosque is square in plan, with a single dome resting on 12 corners. It has no minaret, and the original portico was demolished in 1959.
Tomb of Çandarlı Halil Pasha
A few blocks east is the tomb of Çandarlı Halil Pasha (Çandarlı Halil Paşa Türbesi). He served as Grand Vizier from 1439 until June 1, 1453, under Sultans Murad II and Mehmed II. Suspected of accepting bribes from the Byzantines, he was removed from office following the Conquest of Constantinople, imprisoned, and executed on July 10, 1453. Çandarlı Halil Pasha was the fourth of five members of his family to hold the position of Grand Vizier.
Green Mosque Park
Green Mosque Park (Yeşil Cami Parkı) is a short walk from the tomb. It’s a pleasant green space with benches, surrounded by a few historic structures.
Green Mosque
The Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii) is the centerpiece of the park. It was designed by Hacı bin Musa, the second known Ottoman architect. Grand Vizier Çandarlı Kara Halil Hayreddin Pasha (c. 1330–1387) commissioned its construction in 1378, and it was completed in 1391 by his son, Grand Vizier Çandarlı Ali Pasha (d. 1406).
The mosque features a portico with three arches, giving it a monumental appearance. It’s considered the first monumental Ottoman mosque with a central dome. The railings around the entrance, decorated with geometric patterns, were destroyed during the Greek occupation in 1920 and restored in 1961 based on old photographs.
The prayer hall is square in plan and features marble panels on the lower walls, along with elaborate stonework on the mihrab. The upper walls and the underside of the dome are bare.
The minaret gives the mosque its name, adorned with geometrically patterned green, purple, cobalt, and sky-blue tiles. It’s the only part of the mosque using tiles and provides a clear example of Seljuk minaret traditions carried over from Central Asia into early Ottoman architecture. Only the lower sections are original.
Sheikh Kutbuddin Mosque
Opposite the Green Mosque stands the Sheikh Kutbuddin Mosque (Şeyh Kutbuddin Camii). This 15th-century building is attached to the tomb of Sheikh Kutbuddin (d. 1418), a student of Molla Fenari (1350–1431) and a notable religious and scientific scholar of his time. He’s buried alongside his son, Mehmed Muhittin.
It’s unclear who the mosque and tomb were originally built for. The original structures were destroyed over time and reconstructed in 2004.
Nilüfer Hatun Imaret Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
On the northwest corner of the park is the Nilüfer Hatun Imaret Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Nilüfer Hatun İmareti Türk İslam Eserleri Müzesi). It’s open daily except Mondays, and admission for foreigners is €3 (as of December 2025).
The building was constructed in 1388 by Sultan Murad I in memory of his mother, Nilüfer Hatun (d. c. 1363). It originally served as a guesthouse and soup kitchen, providing accommodation for travelers and food for the poor. The structure is laid out on an inverted-T plan and consists of a single-domed main hall, side rooms, and a large courtyard.
After a long period of abandonment, the building fell into disrepair. It was restored in the 1950s and reopened as the Iznik Museum in 1960, displaying local archaeological finds as well as Turkish and Islamic arts. When the new Iznik Museum building opened in 2023, the Turkish and Islamic arts collection remained here. In the courtyard, you can still see some impressive Roman sarcophagi.
Tomb of Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha
Just inside the Lefke Gate, you’ll find the tomb of Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha the Younger (Çandarlı İbrahim Paşa Türbesi). The son of Çandarlı Halil Pasha, he was the fifth and final member of his family to serve as Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire.
Before rising to that position, Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha (1429–1499) held several key offices: he was appointed judge of Adrianople (modern Edirne), kazasker (judge of the army), and in 1465, tutor to the future Sultan Bayezid II. The tomb contains a total of four burials.
Murad I Hamam
The Murad I Hamam (I. Murad Hamamı) is located a couple of blocks north of Hagia Sophia. Its exact construction date is unknown, but it was likely built sometime between the second half of the 14th century and the late 15th century. Architectural features suggest the most probable construction was in the 14th century, during the reign of Murad I.
The hamam was designed as a double bath, with separate sections for men and women. Eventually abandoned and left in ruins, it was restored between 2006 and August 2007. Today, it serves as a small tile and cultural museum with souvenir shops. Admission is free (as of July 2025).
Ismail Bey Hamam
Continuing north toward the Constantinople Gate, you’ll come to the Ismail Bey Hamam (İsmail Bey Hamamı). Thought to have been built in the 14th or 15th century, it has an unusual spiral form in the first heating dome. Local sources indicate it once belonged to a mansion and was named after Ismail Bey, a 17th-century resident of Iznik. The hamam includes two cold rooms, two hot rooms, a water tank, and a fountain. Today, it stands in ruins.
Iznik Museum
The Iznik Museum (İznik Müzesi) is an excellent place to see the region’s most important archaeological finds. It’s located on the south side of the city, near the southern gate. The museum is open daily except Mondays, and admission for foreigners is €3 (as of December 2025).
The Iznik Museum first opened to the public in 1935 at the Yakup Çelebi Zaviyesi and then moved to the Nilüfer Hatun Imaret in 1960. The current building opened on January 16, 2023, to house the archaeological collection, while the Turkish and Islamic Arts collection remains at the Nilüfer Hatun Imaret. The museum exhibits nearly 1,500 works, some dating as far back as 6500 BC.
Timeline at the Iznik Museum
The path through the museum begins with a brief timeline of Iznik’s history, spanning from the Neolithic Age through the Ottoman period. Small display boxes highlight artifacts from each era.
Neolithic Age through Hellenistic Period Artifacts at the Iznik Museum
Next, you’ll find artifacts from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, and Iron Ages, including pottery, tools, weapons, and figurines. The Hellenistic period gallery showcases ceramics and jewelry.
Funerary Monuments at the Iznik Museum
Impressive funerary monuments and sarcophagi follow. The most notable examples were discovered at the Hisardere Necropolis.
The Achilles Sarcophagus is the most striking. This 2nd-century work features reliefs of Achilles, Patroclus, Briseis, Narcissus, Satyrs, and Eros between columns. Lion heads decorate the lid, with sleeping angels at the corners. The sarcophagus suggests the presence of a cult of Achilles in Nicaea.
The Antigonus Sarcophagus belonged to Antigonus, who died in the 2nd century between the ages of 45 and 50. His body was wrapped in three layers of wool shroud, and part of the shroud, the pillow, and part of the wooden bed under the body have survived. This shows that the dead at the time were buried shrouded and placed on a wooden bed rather than directly on the stone. Two figures of Eros decorate the short sides. On the long side, a woman appears on the left, with an inscription in the center and two more figures of Eros on the right. One of the long sides wasn’t decorated, as it rested against the wall of the burial chamber. The inscription reads:
I’m sad Arete,
With my body and soul, I call to you from the grave of Antigonus,
I tear my hair with sorrow and display my emotions by crying.
This bad fate, this death has entombed me instead of freeing this elite man.
The Nike-Eros Sarcophagus, also dated to the 2nd century, depicts figures of Nike and Eros. Marks of the shroud and fabric on the body are still preserved.
Finally, the Nigreine-Astyris Sarcophagus belonged to a mother and daughter, Nigreine and Astyris. Nigreine, who died in the 3rd century between the ages of 30 and 45, and Astyris, between the ages of 25 and 30, were found tightly wrapped in a shroud made of linen, wool, and silk. The inscription on the front reads:
I, Astyris, bought (this) sarcophagus for myself and my mother Nigreine, whom I love so much.
Roman Period Gallery at the Iznik Museum
The Roman-period gallery contains the majority of artifacts on display at the museum. The first displays feature collections of glass, ceramics, and coins.
The stone artifacts include finds from the Roman Theatre of Nicaea, along with heads and fragments of marble statues. One particularly interesting object is a game board for ludus duodecim scriptorum, an ancient game similar to backgammon.
Byzantine Period Gallery at the Iznik Museum
The Byzantine-period gallery begins with an overview of the Ecumenical Councils held in Nicaea. It includes brief descriptions of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea and what’s known about the locations where they took place. You’ll also find a scale model of the ruins of the Basilica of St. Neophytos and a copy of the painting of the First Ecumenical Council from the Sistine Chapel.
Next is a replica of a hypogeum dating to the late 4th or early 5th century. Unearthed in 1967 on the road between Iznik and Elbeyli, it measures 2.75 × 3.79 meters. The ceiling and walls were decorated with frescoes featuring floral and geometric motifs as well as animal figures.
Among the displayed artifacts are crosses, oil lamps, jewelry, figurines, pottery, and silver and bronze coins dating from 395 to 1453.
Stone artifacts include ossuaries and cinerary chests, along with a marble slab from the Church of Koimisis Theotokou.
Turkish Period Gallery at the Iznik Museum
The Turkish-period gallery explores Iznik under Seljuk and Ottoman rule, as well as during the early years of the Turkish Republic. The Seljuks controlled the city from 1081 to 1097, and the Ottomans ruled from 1331 until the foundation of the Republic in 1923. On display are tombstones, Iznik tiles, and weapons, most of which date to the Ottoman period.
Iznik Red (Temporary Exhibition)
During my first visit to the Iznik Museum, the front hall featured Iznik Red, a temporary exhibition of Iznik ceramics and tiles decorated with red paint. It ran from early July to early September 2025, and many of the pieces were on display for the first time ever.
Red wasn’t a common feature of Iznik wares until the 1550s, achieved using an iron-rich bole under the glaze. The Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, completed in 1557, was among the first buildings to feature tiles with red decoration.
Garden of the Iznik Museum
The garden of the Iznik Museum displays stone artifacts such as column capitals, fragments of statues and architectural elements, and a few sarcophagi.
The most significant pieces are the sarcophagi sheltered near the museum building. Among them is a Roman-period marble altar inscribed with words of thanks.
One item of particular interest is a sarcophagus fragment dating to the second half of the 2nd century. Its inscription reads:
(Whoever damages this grave or) moves it to another place without the right (to use it) shall pay 2500 dinars to the municipal coffers.
Where to Eat in Iznik
During my visits to the town, I’ve stopped into a few places.
Cafe Kalyon
Along Lake Iznik, we stopped into Cafe Kalyon for Turkish breakfast and coffee. The service was friendly, the prices fair, and the breakfast excellent. We also enjoyed the Turkish coffee. In addition to breakfast, the café offers a full menu for lunch and dinner.
Antik Cafe
Antik Cafe is just opposite the Lefke Gate. It’s a quirky spot with a kitschy interior filled with antique items and furniture. The coffee is good, the owner is friendly, and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Overall, it’s a fun place to stop and take a break while exploring Iznik.
Green Fastfood
Located next to the Green Mosque, Green Fastfood offers coffee, tea, ice cream, and fast food. We had coffee and ice cream, and the service was friendly.
