Underwater St. Neophytos basilica resurfaces with retreat of Lake Iznik

BY DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL HISTORY SEP 12, 2020 3:38 PM GMT+3





The underwater remains of a 1,500-year-old basilica in honor of St. Neophytos has re-emerged with the withdrawal of waters from a lake in the Iznik district of the province of Bursa, northwestern Turkey.

Aerial photographs have helped uncover the basilica, which is believed to date back to the fifth century.

The historical remains of the basilica are located 20 meters from the shoreline and two meters below the usual level of the lake.

Experts estimate that the site of worship was buried in lake waters during an earthquake in 740, however, it has only now reemerged due to the effects of a drought in the region.

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