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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Koimesis Kilisesi |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Church |
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Plan Type:
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Ciborium |
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Year of Costruction:
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Beginning of 8th c. |
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Phase:
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Early Middle Late |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Altitude:
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100 |
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Region:
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Marmara |
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Province:
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Bursa |
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District:
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Iznik |
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Village:
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Mahmut Çelebi Mah. |
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Antique Name:
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Nicaia |
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| Location: It is situated on the Yakup Çelebi Street of the Mahmut Çelebi Quarter of Iznik District in Bursa. |
| Geography and Environment: It lies approximately 50 m west of the Sacred Spring (hagiasma) of Böcek. At present, only the foundations of the building are visible, and it is below the level of the road. It has been already enclosed by iron bars, and taken under protection. |
| Research and Excavation: The study carried out by J. von Hammer before the building was destroyed, among all others, is particularly important. Because the mosaic inscription, which is actually vital in dating the church, was first published by Hammer [Hammer 1856]. The articles published by Ch. Diehl and J. Strzygowski in 1892 are valuable works on mosaics [Diehl 1892; Strzygowski 1892]. The monographic works published by O. Wulff in 1903, and Th. Schmit in 1927 provide comprehensive data about the church, documented with photographs. |
| Description: Building Phases: The building, known as the Monastic Church of Hyakinthos, as it was first referred so in the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, should have been built in the early 8th century [Mango 1994a:351-353]. During the second phase, which followed the earthquake in 1065, a second storey was added on the narthex, and compartments were attached to the northern and southern ends [Peschlow 1972:146]. The dome, which collapsed around the mid 18th century, was repaired in the early 19th century. And, during the repairworks performed in the mid-19th century, the interior of the church was decorated by frescoes, a new belfry was added, and the building was enclosed by walls [Wulff 1903:12-15; Schmit 1907:10-12; Peschlow 1972:147]. It sustained a grave damage during the Independence War in 1922. The existing remains were uncovered when the debris inside the building was removed in 1955 [Peschlow 1972:145]. Architectural Features: It has a ciborion plan. The square planned naos was separated from the lateral wings by four piers. The lateral wings were covered by barrel vaults. The eastern façade ends with three apses, triangular on the outside and circular on the inside. The narthex section of the building consisted of three bays, and it was delimited by staircase-towers on both sides. Although main building materials were bricks and mortar, alternate courses can also be observed in the masonry [Ötüken et al. 1986:232-233; Peschlow 2004:203-204]. Since the building is in an area surrounded by concrete walls is entirely underneath a layer of vegetation it is hard to see the foundation. The pillars used inside the building are in tact and can be clearly viewed [TAYEx 23.07.2008]. Decorative Features: The mosaic decorations which did not survive to today, but were identified through available sources included the narthex, the pendentives, the arch of the bema, and the half dome of the apse. According to some researchers, the Virgin and the Child was depicted on the half-dome of the apse in the pre-iconoclastic era [Underwood 1959:240] while others claimed that it was the Christ seated on the throne [De'Maffei 2004:114]. It seems that there was a cross figure on the apse during the iconoclastic era. It was replaced with a figure of the Virgin with the Christ child in her arms in the post-iconoclastic era. On the two sides of the bema arch, to the north and south, are two pairs of angels. At the center of the arch is a depiction of the "Throne of Justice and Judgment" (Hetoimasia). The pendentives supporting the dome are decorated with depictions of the four Evangelists. The christogram in the middle of the narthex vault is surrounded by medallions including the busts of Christ, The Virgin, John the Baptist, and Joachim. The lunette of the gate which provided access to the southern nave of the narthex was decorated with figures of the Virgin with Christ child in her arms, Emperor Constantine X and the Bishop Nicephoros. The narthex mosaics are dated to the end of 1065 [Mango 1959a:245-247]. The floor of the naos was paved with mosaics in opus sectile technique [Demiriz 2002:94-100]. |
| Finds: Architectural Plastic: The architectural plastic elements, which are largely preserved in the Museum of Iznik, are dated from 6th to 11th centuries [Barsanti 2004:278-281]. Among these finds are capitals and a plate with a monogram of Hyakinthos, who is believed to have been the founder of the monastery. |
| Interpretation: According to T.I. Schmit, the building is a domed basilica with three naves [Schmit 1927:4]. |
| Destruction: A road crosses over the section where the church's apse should be at. Houses occupy the location of the narthex. Housing development and road constructions continue in all directions around the building. A large portion of the building was demolished due to these destructions [TAYEx 23.07.2008]. |
