"The Pope's Upcoming Visit: A 2,500-Year-Old Discovery in Nicea"

02.06.2025 18:42

In the district of İznik in Bursa, which Pope Leo XIII will visit, history is bursting forth from every corner. Following the discovery of the historical basilica underwater, the motifs on a giant mosaic that emerged from the ground of a house revealed a history of 2,500 years. It is claimed that this mosaic may belong to the palace of Queen Nicaea, after whom İznik is named.

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History bursts forth wherever you touch in İznik, a district of Bursa that Pope Leo 14 will visit.

2,500 YEARS OLD

During restoration work on a house in Eşrefzade Neighborhood, a mosaic was discovered from the floor of the house, and it was taken under examination by the İznik Museum. While the mosaic reveals a 2,500-year-old history, some circles claim that it may belong to the palace of Queen Nicea, who gave her name to ancient İznik.

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE MOTIFS ON IT

The mosaic, claimed to be the most important artifact discovered in İznik so far, is said to have two separate motifs. One motif depicts a scene of a lion attacking a deer, while the other shows a fishing boat coming from Lake İznik to the shores of Nicea.

ENTRANCES AND EXITS HAVE BEEN PROHIBITED

The house undergoing restoration has been declared an excavation site by the museum directorate. A sign reading 'Entry to the excavation site is prohibited' has been placed around the area, which is surrounded by blue tarpaulins. Work has been initiated by archaeologists affiliated with the museum directorate.

IT DREW ATTENTION TO ITS COMPOSITIONS

Retired Museum Director Taylan Sevil also emphasizes that the mosaic is extremely important in terms of its compositions. Stating that the mosaic belongs to the Roman period, Sevil noted that it can be dated to the 1st or 2nd century. "It is understood that it is a very important and special mosaic in terms of its compositions," he said.

"AN IMPORTANT MANSION OR MANSION"

Referring to the patterns and motifs on the mosaic, Taylan Sevil used the following expressions: "This place is an important mansion or a place like a mansion belonging to one of the wealthy families of its time. The remains known as the floor mosaic are extremely important, especially the two panels in the middle, which are not just geometric shapes. The first depicts a hunting scene. A possible tiger is in a situation of hunting a deer. The second contains a very special composition. In my interpretation, a person who was interested in fishing and hunting at that time is depicted while taking a boat tour by the shores of Lake İznik. Again, in my interpretation, fish were being transported from Lake İznik to the palace of Nicea and even to Byzantine palaces. This depiction of fish led me to such an interpretation."

NO OTHER CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN BUILT ON IT

Emphasizing that no other construction has been built on the mosaic until the Roman period according to the excavated debris, Sevil stated, "For this reason, the mosaic has preserved itself. There are only modern foundation remnants around the house. Therefore, the mosaic has come to the present day without being damaged in its original state."

THE PROCESS OF THE POPE'S VISIT TO İZNİK

Pope Franciscus, who passed away a while ago, stated in a 2024 announcement that he wished to visit İznik in 2025 due to the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea, and high-level discussions had begun following this. During this process, delegations from the Vatican came to İznik and held discussions with the relevant authorities for the visit planned to take place in May, but the ceremony was postponed after the death of Pope Franciscus on April 21.

In response to a journalist's question on May 12, regarding whether he would go to İznik, recalling that his predecessor Pope Franciscus wanted to go for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea but did not have the time, the newly elected spiritual leader of Catholics and Vatican State President Pope Leo 14 replied, "I know this. We are preparing."

The First Council of Nicea was held in 325 in İznik at the invitation of Roman Emperor Constantine I, with the participation of all bishops affiliated with the church in Christianity, where religious issues were discussed and resolved, which is considered significant in the history of Christianity.