access to izmit, nicaea : byzantine monuments



The church is situated in the exact center of the town, where the two main raoads meet.It was built in Byzantine era and repaired after the earthquakes that struck in the 11th century.The church , with three abses, has a sacred significance for Chrisrian pilgrims as it was the site of the 7th Council as well as having a fresco of Christ in one of the grave chamber walls.
In 1331, Orhan Gazi converted the church into a mosque which went through a large scale renovation by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century.Colored floor mosaics and Sytrons were uncovered during later restoratrion in 1935 and 1953.

	The chuch, which was built by Bishop Hyacinthos in the 8th century, is said to be a section of Hyacinthos Monastry.In 1065 earthquake destroyed some portions which were later eliminated by some additional portions.In 1807, the mosaics of the church which was capped with a vast dome, where renewed by İznik Metropolitan Daniel.During the Turkish War of Independence, the church almost totaly was demolished. Today only some parts of foundation and floor mosaics remain.		The building technique and the cross shape of the church indicate that is was from the 10-12th century Byzantine period.It was situated on the left side of the road heading to the Constantinople Gate.The church which is believed to be a part of thr Algalma Monastery had four columns.Today only the remains of some walls and a few floor mosaics exist.
The Church Of Koimesis		The Church of Hagios Tryphonos

		It is an underground tomb located in the Hersekli District of Elbeyli.The grave chamber is covered with a voult.The ceiling and the walls were decorated with colored early Christian frescos.Two peacocks opposite the each other, a popy garden, a quail, a partridge, a pheasand, apples on a plate, pears and plant and geometric figures can all be seen in these frescos.On the wooden extension of the ceiling of the grave chamber where three bodies rest there are flower rosettes and decorated panels.
Hypoge