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| İznik | ||
| province | Bursa | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 43.330 (2018) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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İznik is a city in the region Bursa in the Turkey.
background
A settlement called Elikore or Ankore stood here already in early antiquity. In the 4th century BC The companion of Alexander the Great Antigonus I. Monophthalmos founded the colony Antigoneia here. When the latter was defeated in the Battle of Ipsos by the generals Seleucus, Lysimachus, Antiochus and Pleistarchus, the settlement of Antigoneia fell into the hands of Lysimachus and his rule came in 301 BC. to found the city under the name of his first wife Nikaia. Twenty years later, the rising kingdom of Bithynia took control of the city. When the kingdom was founded by the last Bithynian king in 74 BC. was bequeathed to the Romans in will, this also meant that Nikaia was accepted into the Roman Empire, which passed into the Byzantine Empire. In 325 AD the city first went down in history when Emperor Constantine I had the first ecumenical council held here to clarify the somewhat complex question of the essence of Jesus. The day of the council is still honored as a holiday in the Orthodox Church. When the so-called iconoclasm shook the church for about 400 years, it was decided again to settle the dispute with an ecumenical council (now the seventh) in Nicaea. Since then it is again allowed to worship icons in the church. When the Rum Seljuks advancing from the east took the city in 1075, they made the city the first capital of their great empire. But only twenty years later the Byzantines were able to recapture the city with the support of the crusaders of the first crusade. For this, the crusaders had ships transported into Lake Iznik to open up an additional front from the sea. The empire of the Rum Seljuks moved their center to Konya and so it remained quiet for over a hundred years. But when, in 1204, the fourth crusade invaded Constantinople and plundered, with the sole aim of defeating Byzantium, the surviving upper class fled to Nicaä to establish the government-in-exile of the weakened Byzantine Empire. It was not until 1261 that Constantinople could be recaptured. However, the armed conflicts between the two Christian empires opened the door to many small Turkish tribes that are in the area of the present day Turkey settled. In the nearby town Bursa settled the Ottomans, who soon afterwards in 1331 extended their domain to Nicaä. Since then the city has been called Iznik. The Ottomans discovered the existing faience craft in Iznik and promoted it. From the 14th to the 17th century, various styles of art were developed here and over 300 workshops settled here. First the rise of Kutahya as a new stronghold of faience led to the decline of the craft, but the good reputation of faience from Iznik has been preserved to this day. The Greek invasion around 1920 last caused severe damage to the city. Only when the Greeks took it, some houses burned down. After the withdrawal of the Greek army, the last citizens of Greek descent had to leave the city as part of the population exchange. In recent years, attempts have been made to revive the faience craft. The city is twinned with the Donut District Spandau.
getting there
By plane
The nearest international airports are in Istanbul and Bursa to find. While Bursa is closer, Istanbul has better connections. From both cities you continue on the street.
By train
By bus
There are hourly connections with Bursa and several times a day a connection with IstanbulThe starting point and destination is the bus station in the south of the city on the Yakup Sok.
In the street
Of Bursa from there you drive the D575 in a northerly direction Yalova. After about 45km, in Orhangazi, turn right onto the D150 in the direction of İznik. This changes to the D595 after about 20km. After another 17km you will reach the destination.
Of Istanbul it is best to choose a ferry connection Yalova. From the European side there is the possibility of Yenikapı in the district Eminonu or from Pendik. From Yalova you can take the D575 in a southerly direction Bursa consequences. In Orhangazi, turn right onto the D150 towards İznik. This changes to the D595 after about 20km. After another 17km you will reach the destination.
The best way to park is to turn off the northern part of Ataturk Caddesi into Göl Sokak. A large guarded parking lot can be found here after 50 meters. This is also signposted from Ataturk Caddesi.
By boat
mobility
The old town is small and clearly laid out. It is best explored on foot.
Tourist Attractions
- Fortification
- The wall ring that surrounded the city was once 5km long and equipped with over 100 towers. At least the wall itself is still relatively well preserved, even though it was built by the Romans. Three of the main gates have also been preserved. The Istanbul Gate (İstanbul Kapı) can be found in the north. Like the Lefke Gate (Lefke Kapı) in the east, this comes from the time of Adrianus (117-138 AD). In the south is the Yenischehir Gate (Yenişehir Kapı).
- The wall ring that surrounded the city was once 5km long and equipped with over 100 towers. At least the wall itself is still relatively well preserved, even though it was built by the Romans. Three of the main gates have also been preserved. The Istanbul Gate (İstanbul Kapı) can be found in the north. Like the Lefke Gate (Lefke Kapı) in the east, this comes from the time of Adrianus (117-138 AD). In the south is the Yenischehir Gate (Yenişehir Kapı).
1 Hagia Sofia. 
The building dates back to the 4th century AD. back and was originally laid out as a church. The basilica received a special honor as on October 11, 787 AD. the seventh ecumenical council was held here. A.D. a strong earthquake damaged the church. The repair was followed by some changes in the entire construction to protect the building from renewed earthquakes. When the Ottomans took the city, the church was converted into a mosque. In the 16th century, Suleyman I made some changes. Among other things, he had prayer niches integrated into the building. During the fighting for İznik in World War I, the building was badly damaged. After the First World War, the building was extensively restored, with the restoration attempting to do justice to all important eras. Remnants of Christian mosaics were restored, as were Muslim prayer niches. In the course of the restoration, the building was made accessible to the public again as a museum. In 2011 the ruling AKP party finally decided, in protest of the other party and some civil associations, to convert the building back into a mosque.- Nilüfer-Hatun soup kitchen
- In 1388 the Ottoman Sultan I had the building built as a kitchen for the poor and dedicated it to his mother. In 1960 this building was restored and opened to the public as an archaeological museum. It is generally considered to be one of the most impressive examples of Ottoman architecture.
- In 1388 the Ottoman Sultan I had the building built as a kitchen for the poor and dedicated it to his mother. In 1960 this building was restored and opened to the public as an archaeological museum. It is generally considered to be one of the most impressive examples of Ottoman architecture.
- Murat I. Hamam
- It is estimated that this building dates back to the 14th century. This is not exactly known. Originally, this building was used as a classic hammam with separate men's and women's areas. In 2007 the building was completely renovated and has been open to the public ever since.
- It is estimated that this building dates back to the 14th century. This is not exactly known. Originally, this building was used as a classic hammam with separate men's and women's areas. In 2007 the building was completely renovated and has been open to the public ever since.- Yeşil Cami
- The probably most beautiful mosque in the city was built by Murat I in the period 1378-1391. The portal and the marble prayer niche are particularly worth seeing. The tile design on the minaret was originally done in the finest Iznik craftsmanship. But in the course of time this is made up of not so high quality goods Kutahya been replaced.
- The probably most beautiful mosque in the city was built by Murat I in the period 1378-1391. The portal and the marble prayer niche are particularly worth seeing. The tile design on the minaret was originally done in the finest Iznik craftsmanship. But in the course of time this is made up of not so high quality goods - theatre
- The Roman theater from the 2nd century AD in Nicaea already showed severe problems during the construction phase. Historical sources show that there were cracks in the foundation in the early construction phase. It is uncertain whether the theater could ever be completed. In any case, a church was later built in the ruins of the theater, of which only the foundation walls can be seen today. There is a little more left of the theater, but whoever is already the theater in Demre or Pergamon has seen will be disappointed. Currently (May 2012) the site is not accessible because excavations are taking place there.
- The Roman theater from the 2nd century AD in Nicaea already showed severe problems during the construction phase. Historical sources show that there were cracks in the foundation in the early construction phase. It is uncertain whether the theater could ever be completed. In any case, a church was later built in the ruins of the theater, of which only the foundation walls can be seen today. There is a little more left of the theater, but whoever is already the theater in - Berber Kayası
- The Barber's Rock rises about a kilometer from the city and is best accessed through the eastern gate. The remains of a rock grave can be found here. But these are not worth mentioning and not a visit at first. But the view from the rock over the city and the lake is fantastic.
- The Barber's Rock rises about a kilometer from the city and is best accessed through the eastern gate. The remains of a rock grave can be found here. But these are not worth mentioning and not a visit at first. But the view from the rock over the city and the lake is fantastic.- Dikiltaş
- The Iznik Obelisk is also often called Nişantaşı, which means memorial stone, or as "Beştaş", which means five stone. You can find it 5km away from the city in the middle of an orchard. In total, it is 12 meters high and consists of five blocks placed on top of one another. The obelisk probably dates from the first century AD and describes in ancient Greek that a son of a certain C. Casius Ascelepiodotus was 83 years old.
- The Iznik Obelisk is also often called Nişantaşı, which means memorial stone, or as "Beştaş", which means five stone. You can find it 5km away from the city in the middle of an orchard. In total, it is 12 meters high and consists of five blocks placed on top of one another. The obelisk probably dates from the first century AD and describes in ancient Greek that a son of a certain C. Casius Ascelepiodotus was 83 years old.- İznik Gölü - Lake Iznik is the fifth largest lake in Turkey. With a width of 11 km and a length of 32 km, at a height of 85 meters it has an area of 298 km², which is almost four times the area of the Chiemsee corresponds to. In the past the waters were of course used for fishing, but also for the crusaders in the 11th century AD. to recapture the city by letting your ships into the water here and opening an additional front. The armed conflicts over the city are a thing of the past, but fishing has remained. And not just for the fishermen. This lake is also still a popular resting place for migratory birds and is therefore also popular with ornithologists. There are also a few beaches here, one of which is right in town. Unfortunately, all of this is clouded by the increasing pollution of the lake. In general, the southern shore of the lake is considered to be the nicer, more natural part.
activities
shop
kitchen
Iznik is famous for its Köfte. Therefore, one should take the opportunity. There are good kofte for example:
- Köfteci Yusuf, Ataturk Caddesi, Iznik. Tel.: (0) 224 757 35 97. Centrally located with a beautiful terrace.
nightlife
accommodation
- Çamlik Motel, Sahil Yolu, İznik. Tel.: (0224) 757 1362, Fax: (0224) 757 1631, Email: [email protected].
- Kaynarca. Tel.: (0224) 7571753, Fax: (0224) 7571723, Email: [email protected]. Price: double room 70 TL / single bed / single room from 25 TL to 40 TL.
- İznik Otel, Selçuk Mah. Göl Sahil Yolu No: 22 Liman Karşısı İznik. Tel.: 90 224 757 22 55, Email: [email protected].
- Berlin Hotel, Mustafa Kemal Paşa Mahallesi / Göl Sahili Yolu 36, İznik. Tel.: (0224) 7571915, (0224) 7573355, (0224) 7573356, Fax: (0224) 7574333, Email: [email protected].
health
Practical advice
trips
literature
Web links
http://www.iznik.bel.tr - İznik Official Website
