04.12.2025 10:57
A 720 square meter plot of land located within the historical walls of the first-degree protected area in the İznik district of Bursa has been put up for sale online. Kadircan Aslıvar, who published the sales announcement for 5 million 500 thousand lira the day after the visit of Pope Leo XIII, the head of the Vatican State, stated that one of the 114 towers in the approximately 2,500-year-old walls is also included in the land they purchased as a family 13 years ago.
Constructed in the 4th century BC during the Bithynia Period, the İznik Walls, which took their current form with new additions during the Roman and Byzantine periods, came to the forefront with a sales announcement published online.
PUT UP FOR SALE FOR 5 MILLION 500 THOUSAND LIRA
Kadircan Aslıvar, a construction engineer living in Bursa, put up for sale online his family's private parcel located in the site area between the Istanbul Gate and the completely collapsed Göl Gate of the İznik Walls for 5 million 500 thousand lira, just one day after the visit of the spiritual leader of Catholics and the President of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIII, to the district.
THEY PURCHASED IT 13 YEARS AGO
Aslıvar stated that they bought the land 13 years ago when they visited the district as a family, saying, "We used to come to İznik from Istanbul for a visit 13 years ago with my family. We were very impressed by its historical texture and beauty, and we used to explore. We saw that this place within the walls was a special parcel and was for sale. We were initially very surprised, and then we bought it."
ONE OF THE 114 TOWERS IS ALSO WITHIN THE LAND
Kadircan Aslıvar noted that one of the 114 towers located in the approximately 2,500-year-old walls is also included in the land they purchased as a family 13 years ago, saying, "It is surrounded by walls. At first, when you walk around the city, you see many different historical places, independent of this. When we owned this place, we felt much more special. Because it is surrounded by walls and towers. This castle has 4 main entrances. These 4 entrances represent the 4 Gospels. We have 12 secondary gates. These 12 gates represent the 12 apostles of Jesus. One gate is adjacent to our parcel. The 720 square meter land also includes the tower behind it. There is an additional 15 meters behind it. Right next to us is Lake İznik. Of course, there is a walking path. There is a parking lot in front, and there is a boutique hotel next to it," he said.
"INTEREST INCREASED AFTER THE POPE'S VISIT"
The area where the land is located has been designated as a protected site in the zoning plans, and no excavations are allowed except for scientific excavations. However, Aslıvar stated that with the permission of the Monuments Board, a structure that would add value to the district could be built on the land, emphasizing that interest in the region has increased, especially after the Pope's visit, saying, "Over time, especially after the Pope's visit in recent days, interest in the region has increased significantly. We believe that a proper project will be carried out here with an investor. Currently, there is no construction due to the site status. Once the necessary permits are obtained from the Monuments Board, a beautiful project can be developed here. I think it will add great value to İznik."