İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii

The structure, built likely in the 4th-5th centuries as a three-aisled basilica on the foundations of a gymnasium from the Roman period, is referred to in sources as the Great Church. It is thought that the Seventh Council, convened on October 11, 787, was held here. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1065 and converted into a mosque in 1331, following Orhan Gazi's conquest, with the addition of a minaret and mihrab.

The structure, restored by Mimar Sinan during the reign of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, was used as a museum between 1935 and 2011. At the entrance, visitors can see floor mosaics, the chapel floor mosaic, Middle Byzantine frescoes, and the round inner and three-sided outer apse.

Visit note: Following the restoration that began in 2007, part of it opened for worship as a mosque on November 6, 2011; the admission fee and hours are not stated in the sources.

The information in this listing was compiled from the following sources:

• tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayasofya_(%C4%B0znik)
• kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/bursa/gezilecekyer/znik-ayasofya
• iznik.bel.tr/tr/sayfa/kulturel-varliklar-47

The information was verified on the date of compilation. We recommend calling the venue before your visit.

Cover image: Wikimedia Commons · Dosseman · CC BY-SA 4.0