Investigating the Frescoes at the Hagia Sophia in Iznik

In 787, the Second Council of Nicaea convened, during which those gathered lifted the ban on icons. This council took place inside the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Nicaea, now called Iznik. From that time, multiple frescoes have been placed on the walls and vaulted areas of windows and domes.

Found in many mosaics, the repeated cross patterns often served as a substitute for images of saints. In this church, some of these divergent ideas merge. On my visit, I lamented the tour that I was on. The key speaker ignored these frescoes with only a sentence or two, focusing instead on unrelated stories. We were standing in the place where icons were debated and decided upon, and at least on a visit, I believe we should know what to look for. In my research on these frescoes, there is minimal written material available in English (or at least I have not found it yet).

I will let my pictures, accompanied by some descriptions, guide the way.

Floor Fresco – Deesis

North East Corner Frescoes

The ruinous state most likely was caused by multiple earthquakes in the 18th century, which led to the roof collapsing. The place sat open to the elements for about 200 years until the 2007 renovations. Surprisingly, we can see any frescoes at all today, but the archways protected them.

Mostly unnoticed by visitors is the carved “non-icon cross” in one of the stones on the northern aisle. This cross is similar to the mosaic one on the upper dome of St. Irene in Istanbul. The Iconoclasts preferred the cross to icons.

South East Corner Frescoes

On the upper rim, the former cross decorations are still visible. Much like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, this basilica once displayed a multitude of cross patterns and great beauty.

Window Frescoes

Upper areas of the windows also display smaller frescoes of cross rosettes and other patterns. They were found upon entering, the first two windows on the north side (left side on entry) and the 4th and 5th windows on the south side.^[1]See this article for pictures of these frescoes. https://www.academia.edu/42216123/N%C4%B0KAEA_%C4%B0ZN%C4%B0K_AYASOFYASI

Coronation Circles

The House of Laskaris (1204-1661 AD), which ruled the city of Nicaea, used these circles for imperial events. The cross-like fleur de lis symbol is evident near the central circle, an image that the House of Laskaris used as well as the double-headed eagle. Some claim they used this symbol on their coins, but I was unable to verify this with any online images.

Chapel Mosaics

On the south side of the building is a caged-in mosaic area from a later chapel. Unfortunately, the mosaics are not protected, and they cannot be viewed easily.

Outside Ruins

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has multiple interesting items to explore. I have blogs and YouTube videos available.

The religious frescoes depicting the differences between Islam and Christianity can be found in “Searching Below the Surface.”