Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
the Dominican Republic
Fiji
Mosque · İznik, Bursa
İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii
The former church of Hagia Sophia in Nicaea preserves Byzantine references in a building that returned to Islamic religious use.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii
The Ayasofya of İznik stands in the center of ancient Nicaea, within the line of the walls. The building was a Byzantine church and later came into use as a mosque. The overlap of functions allows one to observe the city’s continuity across periods that also appear in the gates and streets.
The site is connected to the memory of the Councils of Nicaea, but one should not conflate every council or every construction in the local history. The first council, in 325, is part of the town’s history; the former Hagia Sophia is associated with a later eighth-century gathering.
The visit is short and can start your walk through the historic center. Check circulation areas and the appropriate time to enter, since it has religious use. To complete the day, set aside time for the streets and the walls instead of leaving after only seeing the Ayasofya’s façade.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
During the day, outside prayer times.
How to get there
On foot within İznik’s center, from the main streets of the walled core.
Tip
Distinguish the history of the first council from the identification of the building visited.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about İznik Ayasofya Orhan Camii
Is this Ayasofya in Istanbul?
No. It is the Hagia Sophia of İznik, ancient Nicaea, in Bursa province.
Did the Council of 325 necessarily take place in this building?
You should not make that identification: the building is associated with the later, eighth-century council.
Does İznik’s Ayasofya operate as a museum?
The building is used as a mosque, and entry follows worship rules.