Basilica of Saint Neophytos is the name of a defunct, underwater basilica in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. Coordinates: 40.4258225,29.7095841 visible just off shore.
History
In 2014 the underwater Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos, dedicated to Saint Neophytos, was discovered in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The basilica had been built in the place where he was killed on the shore of the lake and subsequently became submerged after an earthquake AD740. [1] [2]
It is possible, according to researchers, that the basilica was built as a result of the First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine the Great in the year 325. [3]
Its discovery was included in the list of top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2014 released by Archaeological Institute of America. [4]
References
- ^ "Basilica in Lake İznik to become underwater museum". Hürriyet Daily News. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/underwater-st-neophytos-basilica-resurfaces-with-retreat-of-lake-iznik Underwater St. Neophytos basilica resurfaces with retreat of Lake Iznik
- ^ "1,600-year-old Byzantine basilica found under water in Turkey--Aleteia". aleteia.org. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ "Basilica buried under water among the top 10 archeological discoveries of 2014". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
External Links
[1] PBS video "Secrets of the Dead: The Sunken Basilica"
[2] Google Maps URL close up of site.