Travel Guide Grand - Nicee

Less than two hours from Istanbul, Iznik is a peaceful town on the edge of a lake, surrounded by olive trees. Its Roman and Byzantine walls are imposing and well preserved. Frozen in time, Iznik has nevertheless known a very eventful history. The strategic and cultural importance of this city was considerable. In the field of arts, its name is linked to the marvelous white and blue earthenware decorating prestigious Turkish Islamic monuments. The fame of its ceramics has crossed the borders since the fifteenth century before running out of steam in the eighteenth century. For some years, the ceramists revive this secular art. The bazaar of ceramics of Nilüfer Hatun is near the green mosque of Iznik. The Hagia Sophia Church and the Yeşil Mosque are worth seeing. The lake is very nice for picnics, water activities or just walking around. A few hours are enough to visit Iznik but one can choose to stay for a weekend, as the city is very welcoming, before continuing to Bursa.