İznik Essentials

İznik, formerly Nicaea, preserves layers of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage within its ancient lakeside walls. This selection features the 4th-century Hagia Sophia, site of the Second Council of Nicaea, and the 14th-century Green Mosque, renowned for its turquoise tilework. The list includes the Roman theatre, the Nilüfer Hatun soup kitchen museum, and the excavation sites of historic tile kilns. Also featured are the submerged Byzantine basilica in Lake İznik and monumental tombs reflecting the city's religious significance.

Green Mosque, Bursa

The Green Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Mehmed I, is a part of a larger complex on the east side of Bursa, Turkey, the former capital…

Hagia Sophia, Iznik

A site with great historical significance as the Second Council of Nicaea was held in this rectangular Byzantine church.

Nicaea

Nicaea, also known as Nikaia, was an ancient Greek city in the north-western Anatolian region of Bithynia that is primarily known as the…

Lake Iznik

Lake Iznik is a lake in the Province of Bursa, Turkey. It is around 32 km in length and 10 km in width with a maximum depth of about 80 m.

İznik Müzesi (Nilüfer Hatun İmareti)

Housed in a 14th-century soup kitchen built by Sultan Murad I, this museum displays Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman artifacts, including sarcophagi, coins, and world-famous ceramics.

Kırgızlar Türbesi

A 14th-century mausoleum dedicated to Kyrgyz warriors who assisted the Ottoman conquest of the city. The structure is noted for its distinctive brickwork and interior burial chambers.

Abdulvahap Sancaktari Türbesi

A hilltop tomb and monument dedicated to an 8th-century standard-bearer. The site offers panoramic views over the city of İznik and the surrounding lake.

İznik Çini Fırınları Kazı Alanı

An archaeological site revealing the remains of 15th to 17th-century kilns used to produce the iconic blue and white İznik tiles for the Ottoman imperial court.

Basilika

The ruins of a 4th-century Byzantine basilica discovered submerged in Lake İznik. The site, visible from the air, is believed to mark the location of Saint Neophytos' martyrdom.

1. Murat Hamamı

A 14th-century Ottoman bathhouse featuring classic dome architecture and a double-bath design for men and women, representing early Ottoman social infrastructure.