Basilica of Saint Neophytos

Basilica of Saint Neophytos is the name of a defunct, underwater basilica in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The ruins are visible just off shore.

Basilica of Saint Neophytos
Interactive map of Basilica of Saint Neophytos
General information
Location	Lake İznik, İznik, Bursa, Türkiye
Year built	Late fourth–early fifth century C.E
Demolished	740
Known for	Thought to be the venue of First Council of Nicaea.

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]

Due to receding water level the Basilica is no longer underwater. Now it is visible on land.