Iznik Guide

İznik, one of the most important cities of the Bithynia, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations, has a deep-rooted and rich history. Surrounded by the natural beauty of green mountains and fertile orchards, and hugging the shores of the blue-pearl-like Lake İznik, the city is both relaxing and bountiful.

Known as Nicaea during the Roman and Byzantine Empires, modern-day İznik in Bursa was originally founded in 316 BC under the name Antigonia. In 301 BC, Lysimachus seized the city and named it after his wife, Nicaea, developing it into a significant urban center.

From its foundation, İznik held an important role in the history of the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman Empires. The city still bears the deep traces, monumental works, and architectural heritage of all these civilizations.

One of the most crucial moments in Christian history, the First Council of Nicaea, took place in May 325 AD in İznik. Convened by Emperor Constantine and attended by 318 religious leaders including Arius, this council resulted in pivotal decisions for Christianity and the death of Arius. The Byzantine palace known as the Senatus, where the council convened, now lies beneath the shimmering waters of Lake İznik.

During these periods, Nicaea flourished with aqueducts, temples, and monuments. Its formidable city walls enabled it to withstand Arab invasions in the 8th century. In 787 AD, the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held in İznik due to disputes among Orthodox Christians over the veneration of icons. Attended by 350 metropolitans and monks, and with representatives of Empress Irene present, this council ultimately rejected iconoclasm and affirmed the reverence of holy images.

The meeting was held in the Ayasofya Basilica, which still stands today in İznik. Decorated with mosaic and fresco remnants, it remains a living tableau of history.As one of the major and wealthy cities of the Byzantine Empire for centuries, Nicaea was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 1065. After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, like much of Anatolia, İznik's fate changed. It was captured by Süleyman Pasha, son of Kutalmış, in 1080 and made the capital of the Seljuk State.Following the fall of the Seljuks in 1147, the city returned to Byzantine hands. After the Crusaders took Constantinople, Theodore Lascaris declared himself emperor in Nicaea in 1206, making the city the cultural and religious heart of the empire.As the Ottoman Empire began to rise from Söğüt in 1299, Ottoman soldiers soon appeared before the city’s walls. In 1331, Orhan Gazi captured İznik and declared it the Ottoman capital. The basilica where the 7th Council was held was converted into a mosque, and a large monastery was transformed into the first Ottoman madrasa. It was around this time that the city began to be known as İznik.After Yıldırım Bayezid was defeated by Tamerlane at Ankara, İznik was plundered in 1402. However, during the reign of Murad II, İznik permanently came under Turkish control and began to flourish as the center of tile-making (çini), gaining global fame.For this reason, the city was also referred to as "Çini Maçını Rumi" or "Çinizlik". The famous İznik tiles, still preserving their vivid colors today, decorate landmarks like the Green Mosque and Tomb in Bursa, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, the Golden Road in Topkapı Palace, and Murad III’s chamber in Istanbul.Today, nestled beside a magical lake and surrounded by forests, İznik resembles a blue amulet, captivating visitors with its charm. Enclosed by red-bricked city walls, its green-minareted mosques, historic monuments, and radiant lights reflecting onto the sky make İznik a world-class treasure of history.

For accommodation options, feel free to check out our İznik Lake Hotels page.