Hello my Steemit fellas! As you know my country (Turkey) is the cradle of civilizations. This ancient soils (Anatolia) has become a homeland for many civilizations like ancient Greeks, Hitit, Romans, Seljuks, Byzantine, Ottomans and Modern Turks!
This time I will introduce you to Iznik as it's old name Nicea!
Iznik is a small town in northwestern city Bursa of Turkey, on the eastern shore of Iznik Lake. It is the modern successor of the important Byzantine city of Nicea, where the famous Council of Nicea was held in 325 AD.
Iznik city Founded in the 4th century BC by the Macedonian king Antigonus the first. Nicea was located in very important area in late Roman and Byzantine times.
The great Council of Nicea was called by Constantine the Great In 325 AD. The Council of Nicea was the first ecumenical council of the church and the first of Seven Ecumenical Councils recognized by most Christian denominations as having doctrinal authority. As resource says around 300 bishops from across the Christian world attended to this call!
The main reason for the council was the dispute over Arianism.
The doctrine that Christ was not equal with God but a lesser divine being, but the assembled bishops also dealt with the date of Easter and various matters of church administration like the reduction of biblical copies in the Christian world.
The Council was originally planned to be held in another city, but Constantine moved the location to Nicea because of its favorable weather and, most importantly, proximity to his palace in Nicomedia (Izmit)
The Seljuk Turks captured Nicea in 1081 and renamed it Iznik.
But Seljuk Turks dominance did not last long that much! City was recaptured by the Byzantines in 1097 during the First Crusade, under Emperor Alexius I Comnenus.
After the Crusaders captured Constantinople in 1204, the "Empire of Nicea" was founded. This small but important town served as a political and cultural center for 50 years.
Years after Nicea was besieged and conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1331. And the church known "Hagia Sophia" where The Great Council of Nicea held turned to mosque at this days!
Ottoman Turks built many new buildings hospitals, schools and Islamic sanctuary like the Green Mosque (1378–91).
Iznik's prosperity was damaged by the competing growth of nearby Istanbul as an Ottoman centre after 1453, but revived in the 16th century with the introduction of faience pottery making. Iznik subsequently became famous for its magnificently beautiful "Iznik tiles," which decorate mosques and palaces throughout Turkey
Iznik (Nicea) is really worth to visit my friends! It's only 76 kilometers from Bursa city and 140 kilometers from Istanbul! You can witness it's harmony, the historical texture, the modern day changes and the shops full of magnificent tiles!
