İstanbul Kapı

This monumental entrance in the north of the city consists of three separate gates; there is an oval courtyard between the gate belonging to the main city wall and the innermost gate. Semicylindrical towers stand on either side of the first gate, whose jambs are made from granite columns.

Two Medusa heads, facing outward, can be seen on the jambs of the third gate. The gate is stated to be adorned with masks brought from the Roman Theater. A travel source reports that the structure was commissioned by Plancius Varus, governor of Bithynia, in the 1st century AD, and renovated during the reign of Hadrian after the earthquake of 120.

Visit note: A travel source states that the gate is undergoing restoration and cannot be reached directly, but can be photographed from nearby; official sources provide no current status information.

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

• iznik.gov.tr/iznik-surlari
• visitbursa.org/tr/mekanlar/iznik-surlari-ve-kapilari-495
• whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5900/
• enuygun.com/bilgi/iznik-te-gezilecek-yerler/

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

The cover image is a symbolic pattern inspired by the İznik tile tradition; it is not a photograph of the venue.