"A colorful mosaic of conquests and cultures" Top 5 Page for this destination Iznik by Tijavi

Iznik Travel Guide: 60 reviews and 249 photos

Colorful Iznik tiles reflect town's rich history

Except probably on summer weekends when Istanbullus descend on Iznik for some cooler lakeside breeze, today's Iznik is a sleepy little corner in Western Anatolia - quite a shadow of its former glory.

Formerly known as Nicaea during the Byzantine era, its main claim to fame (to Christians, at least) is its hosting of the first Ecumenical Council where the Nicene Creed - the basic statement of Christian faith shared by most (all?) Christian denominations - was established, in what is now Aya Sofya.

Prior and subsequent to this, Iznik's (or Nicaea's) fortunes did have their peaks and troughs with the coming and going of various rulers - from the Greeks to the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, and finally, the Ottomans -all gifting the town a colorful history.

While Iznik may no longer be well-known for the Nicene Creed, it certainly is famous for its beautiful and colorful tiles, which symbolically reflect that rich and colorful history.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Small, compact, could be finished in half a day.
Cons:Small, compact, could be finished in half a day.
In a nutshell:Not a very exciting destination, but still worth seeing if you could spare half a day.

Last visit to Iznik: Jun 2006
Intro Updated Feb 7, 2011
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Reviews (8)

Iznik is a pleasant lakeside town - Iznik

An ideal side trip from Bursa Favorites (1)

Iznik's size and the proximity of attractions to each other make it an ideal side trip from Bursa. The main sights are... more travel advice

Quick, scenic, eat Restaurants (1)

Having had a hearty breakfast in Bursa, I wasn't that hungry when I visited Iznik. It's more out of curiosity that I... more travel advice

Beautiful hand-painted Ottoman vases - Iznik

Iznik tiles Shopping (1)

I can't recall the name of this shop I went to, not to buy anything, but to admire and get quick lessons on Iznik tiles.... more travel advice

Notice the minaret's green tilework - Iznik

Another green (yesil) cami Things to Do (4)

Right in front of the Iznik Museum is Yesil Cami, named after its blue (yesil) color. While not as magnificent as... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
From Bursa to Iznik

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Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 21, 2006

5 photos

Iznik in half a day

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Comments (6)

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bemerson Feb 6, 2011 at 11:18 AM

thanks for the fine job. The Nicene Creed has dominated my life for better and for worse. To see its cradle is...fascinating. Iznik is as important to believers as the Holy Land. You present it well. "Cogito ergo sum."
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Trekki Oct 18, 2009 at 2:07 AM

Oh yes, it is always sad to visit museums with explanations only in local language! Aya Sofya looks very picturesque with the plants but it would be good to do some restoring. Ahh... blue magic tiles and ceramic :-)
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mvtouring Aug 30, 2009 at 4:14 AM

Stunning photo's. Your tips are really good, thanks so much ;-)
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toonsarah Dec 2, 2007 at 2:54 AM

Beautiful tile work - transported me back to last summer in Uzbekistan :) A shame though that things aren't better preserved. And why would a sultan build his mother a soup kitchen??
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kokoryko Aug 10, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Nice into picture; Painted ceramics are special. Yes, craddle of catholicism, it seems there is not a lot left here from that time. Thank you for this short trip to Nicée.
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deecat Aug 22, 2006 at 7:17 AM

Thank you for this fascinating journey to Iznik. The gozleme sound delicious. Helpful tip about the dolmuses. Wonderful information about "ground zero for Christian faith"! Iznik Tiles are, indeed, beautiful. Very fine work.