Iznik Ayasofya Museum of Turkey

Time stands still in the holy precincts of Iznik Ayasofya, a monument that witnessed centuries of religious passion. This holy shrine began its heavenly odyssey as a Byzantine church, perhaps built during Emperor Justinian I's rule in the 6th century. It became a vital part of history as the site of the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 CE, when Christian leaders gathered to affirm the veneration of icons.

Destiny wove a new page into this sacred edifice when Ottoman forces took Iznik in 1331. The center of the building altered to suit Islamic prayer, but its Byzantine character went unchecked. Ayasofya, by centuries of faith and contemplation, existed unselfishly as church and mosque, throwing open its portals ever so briefly as a museum to reveal its treasures to humankind. New artists infused new life into its ancient stones through painstaking restorations between 2007 and 2011. A visit to İznik Ayasofya can be a highlight of your Turkey itinerary.

Know more about Iznik Ayasofya Museum 

One of the most important centers both for the Turkish Empire and Anatolia, Iznik County houses this museum, converted from a mosque, which was formerly the church where the seventh Ecumenical Council was held. 

Dating from the Roman period, the building was transformed into a mosque in 1331, later it functioned as a museum and then reconverted into a mosque in 2011. The frescoes and mosaics from the Byzantium period, along with the sarcophagi are worth seeing. Much of the international community has been shocked by the news concerning Turkey’s conversion of two historic Hagia Sophia churches into mosques in Istanbul and Trabzon. 

The famous Hagia Sophia complex in Istanbul was originally built as a Byzantine Orthodox cathedral in the sixth century CE by Emperor Justinian I. It was subsequently converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Ever since, it has not functioned as a church. The Turkish government turned it into a museum in 1935, and on July 24, 2020, it was turned back into a mosque.

Just a week later, on July 28, 2020, the Hagia Sophia in Trabzon, also once a museum, was re-opened as a mosque with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attending the ceremony remotely.

These don't seem to be the sole abused Hagia Sophias in Turkey. There are nine churches named Hagia Sophia, which suggests “Church of the Holy Wisdom'' in Greek. They're now used as mosques, or are so-called “abandoned” buildings being restored as mosques, in step with the book ‘Türkiye’de Kilise ve Manastırlar (Churches and Monasteries in Turkey)’ by Dr. Ersoy Soydan. 

In addition to the 2 Hagia Sophia former churches in Istanbul (Constantinople), the others include Edirne (Adrianople), Kırklareli (Saranta Ekklisies), Trabzon (Trebizond), Gümüşhane (Argyroupoli), Karadeniz Ereğli (Heraclea Pontica), Bitlis (Baghesh), and Iznik (Nicaea). These former churches now do not have local congregants because the Christians of those cities were massacred or deported a few hundred years ago. 

The cities where the Hagia Sophia churches are located were built, enriched, and ruled by the Byzantines, including Greeks, for centuries before the Turkish conquests, which began in the 11th century. However, aside from Istanbul (which is home to fewer than 2,000 Greeks today), there are not any longer Greek Orthodox inhabitants in any of those cities. The former Hagia Sophia Church in Nicaea (Nicea) is especially significant for its deep-rooted Christian history. 

From Nicaea to Iznik

Nicaea was an ancient city of Bithynia located in northwest Asia Minor. Within the fourth century BC, it absolutely was rebuilt by Greek king Antigonus I Monophthalmus, who “founded several cities, especially in the peninsula, and united several small communities into unitary, large centers,” consistent with Encyclopedia Britannica. 

Nicaea is primarily called the positioning of the primary and Second Councils of Nicaea (the first and seventh Ecumenical councils within the early history of the Christian church), the creed, and because of the capital city of the Empire of Nicaea.
 

Modern Day Significance of Iznik Ayasofya

Sacred echoes of the past blend with the present footsteps in Iznik Ayasofya's ancient halls. With each passing year, this monument adds new chapters to its deep-rooted history in Turkey.

Restoration works

Master craftsmen labored from 2007 to 2011, giving new life to weathered stones. Their skilled hands restored crumbling walls while leaving behind irreplaceable Byzantine and Ottoman treasures in their place. Broken heavens opened up to new roofs, and the peaceful minaret again had a voice. These laborious carements restored both architectural strength and historic dignity in this sacred space.

Current use as mosque

Day dawned new for Ayasofya on November 6, 2011, as calls for prayer first echoed from its newly restored minaret. Modern amenities now embellish the ancient holy place - sparkling wooden floors, soft prayer carpets, and calming sound systems. Sacred traditions have been uninterrupted since 1331.

Tourist attraction

Pilgrims and tourists alike find wonder within these ancient walls. Where museum entrance once cost seven lira, today's gates swing open for free to pilgrims, though grateful hands still offer donations for maintenance. Wonder is around every bend:

• Ancient frescoes tell Byzantine tales in subdued colors
• Prayer calls mesmerize visitors' spirits and recording devices
• Ramadan brings added brilliance to these sacred spaces

Local perception comments change on a bittersweet note. Some question if another mosque is representative of community needs and if museum status would better sanctify these stones. But underlying other questions echo along these corridors - how better to preserve twin heritage and honor present faith. Back and forth along these corridors dance past and present in endless turn, each step carefully weighed between preserving and using.

FAQS

Q1. Why is Iznik Hagia Sophia important?

Iznik Hagia Sophia holds great historical and religious significance as the site of the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 CE, where key decisions on Christian doctrine were made. It has also served as both a church and a mosque, reflecting the region’s diverse cultural heritage.

Q2. When was Iznik Hagia Sophia Mosque built?

The original structure dates back to the Byzantine era, but it was converted into a mosque in 1331 after the Ottomans took control of Iznik.

Q3. What is the old name of Iznik Turkey?

Iznik was historically known as Nicaea, a prominent city in the ancient region of Bithynia, famous for hosting two major Christian councils.

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