Visit Ancient City Nicaea, Iznik Museum, Termal Water Lake

  The temple of Hagia Sophia, which is an important structure in terms of world history; It was built as a basilica during the Byzantine Period over the Gymnasium, which was built by the Romans in the 7th century. It was renovated after the earthquake in the 11th century. It has three platforms. The building, which was converted into a mosque in 1331 with the conquest of Iznik by Orhan Gazi, was renovated by Mimar Sinan during the reign of the Magnificent Suleiman. During the works on the area conducted in 1953, half-round sitting steps where religious officials gathered during ceremonies and floor mosaics decorated with many colored stones were unearthed. On the wall of a burial chamber, there is a fresco of Jesus. It is in the center of Iznik, in the middle of the city during the Byzantine Age, and in the southeast corner of the intersection of the east-west and north-south roads, which formed the two main axes. In written documents, his name is mentioned for the first time on the occasion of the Seventh Consul, which was convened on 11 October 787 under the direction of Patriarch Tarasios and attended by three hundred and fifty bishops and many monks.

1) It is probable that it was a basilica with brick walls built on stone foundations from the Roman Age between the 4th and 5th centuries. The brick walls seen on stone foundations in the north and south are from this period. The mortar layer is thick and the bricks used are coarse. There are walls built with the same technique in the interior of the apse.

2.) The building, which was almost completely destroyed in the big earthquake in 1065, was later rebuilt by raising its floor by 1.40 meters. The outer walls were repaired and the walls of the nave were built. The apse is five-sided and domed pastophorion cells are added. In the structure of this period, a three-naved naos is passed from the west; The side naves open to the middle nave with a wall and triple arch openings divided by two piers.

3) After the conquest of Iznik/ Bursa in 1331 in the time of Orhan Gazi, the building was raised again, the supports separating the naves were changed, and it was converted into a mosque by adding a minaret and mihrab. However, today's minaret remains do not belong to this period. It is possible to find traces of Mimar Sinan both in the present minaret and in most of the changes reflecting the Turkish Period in the building.

Nicaea Ancient City is located in the district of Iznik in the province of Bursa. It was founded in the early ages and has hosted many civilizations over many years. The city is known as the capital city of the Kingdom of Bithynia during the early years of construction. Later it was used as an important center for the Romans. B.C. Nicaea Old City was destroyed in the 4th century and later rebuilt by a commander next to Alexander. There is an old theater in the city, the paintings on the stone where different historical ruins and important events for each society are still known.

Nicaea Museum

Nicaea Museum is located in Nicaea-Bursa. It was opened in 1960, the building, which was built in the name of Nilufer Hatun, the wife of Orhangazi.  He was the second sultan of the Ottoman Empire, was used for many purposes over years, and was used as a hotel in 1388, this historical site carried the best examples of Ottoman architecture. The museum exhibits archeological artifacts collected after excavations from the surroundings. There are many historical monuments from the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans in the museum garden.

Nicaea  Castle

Nicaea Castle is located in the district of Nicaea in the province of Bursa. It is a building dating back to 258 BC. It is known to belong to the Roman period.  The castle has many gates including the Istanbul gate. The names of the other gates are Yenisehir (new city), Lefke, and Gol (lake) gates. The castle also has 12 secondary doors. The support of the walls by the bastions has allowed Nicaea Castle to survive to this day