İznik Nekropolü

The İznik Necropolis, also known as the Hisardere necropolis, lies a few kilometers north of the town center of İznik (ancient Nicaea) in Bursa province. Archaeological excavations carried on since around 2015, including teams from Dokuz Eylül University, have shown that the site served as a burial ground for roughly four centuries, from the 2nd through the late 5th century AD, spanning the Roman and early Byzantine periods. Work has uncovered carved and plain sarcophagi, stone burial boxes, vaulted underground chambers, and brick-roofed tombs painted with frescoes rarely found elsewhere in the region, along with grave goods and skeletal remains. In 2021 the foundations of a small basilica with mosaic floors were found at the heart of the cemetery, dating to the 5th or 6th century. One tomb fresco depicting a shepherd figure is considered a rare example of its type in Anatolia. Authorities plan to turn part of the necropolis into an open-air visitor park so people can see casts of the tombs in place.