Iznik Nicea Tour from Istanbul Councils Underwater Basilica

Step into the spiritual and intellectual heart of early Christianity with a full-day journey to Iznik – ancient Nicea, a city that shaped the foundations of Christian belief. Nicea is remembered as the meeting place of the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD) and the Second Council (787 AD), where doctrine was defined and unity strengthened in the early Church. Although many associate these councils with the later Hagia Sophia of Nicea, modern research suggests otherwise. Strong archaeological evidence indicates that the First Council likely convened in a grand lakeside basilica—today known as the Neophytos Basilica, whose remarkably preserved remains lie beneath Lake Iznik. Discovered in 2014, this underwater church is regarded as one of the most important finds of the century and reflects the legacy of early Christian communities shaped by voices such as St. Paul. Visiting this site offers a rare chance to witness history merging with nature in an unforgettable way.