Basilica of Saint Neophytos
Building in Bursa, Türkiye
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Basilica of Saint Neophytos is the name of a defunct, underwater basilica in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The ruins are visible just off shore.
| Basilica of Saint Neophytos | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Lake İznik, İznik, Bursa, Türkiye |
| Year built | Late fourth–early fifth century C.E |
| Demolished | 740 |
| Design and construction | |
| Known for | Thought to be the venue of First Council of Nicaea. |
History
In 2014 the underwater Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos, dedicated to Saint Neophytos, was discovered in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The basilica had been built in the place where he was killed on the shore of the lake and subsequently became submerged after an earthquake AD740.[1][2]
It is possible, according to researchers, that the basilica was built as a result of the First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine the Great in the year 325.[3]
Its discovery was included in the list of top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2014 released by Archaeological Institute of America.[4]
Due to receding water level the Basilica is no longer underwater. Now it is visible on land.
