Pazarlı’s main distinction is to be the source of the world’s longest Roman aqueduct. This amazing work of engineering snakes the 250+ kilometres to Istanbul, mostly following the terrain but occasionally soaring across valleys via lovely bridges. In the immense distance of its path, the water level drops by only 0.7m in each kilometre of travel. The remains of this immense construction at Pazarlı are low key but the first section of the aqueduct has been repeatedly repaired and is still used.
Roman aqueduct channel east of Pazarlı (41.606767, 27.716459)
With such a reliable and productive water supply, Pazarlı was settled early in history. However, the only buildings that remain from Byzantine or earlier times are those carved into the rock. These are parts of an extensive necropolis to the north-east of the current village. The most spectacular feature of this is a rock-cut chapel (41.611839, 27.706189) on a bluff with a view towards Vize.
Top of the Pazarlı chapel
Chapel steps and entrance
Single west-facing apse
Looking out of the chapel towards the east
Rock tombs are spread over a large area. There has been some activity by treasure hunters but there does not seem to have been much treasure to find.
Typical grave type in Pazarlı necropolis
A deep structure in the necropolis
A large grave structure on the western slope
Multiple graves in the commoners' area
This tree was unable to grow deep roots
Posted June 18, 2016 Posted by Adam in Uncategorized
Kıyıköy, known until 1960 as Midye, is a lovely, walled Byzantine town between two river mouths on the Black Sea. There are pretty beaches, a fishing fleet, wattle-and-daub houses and a complete lack of restoration. The air of peace and timelessness is only interrupted in summer weekends and holidays when the entire population of the hinterland heads for Kıyıköy with the express intention of depositing litter.
Kıyıköy is one of the few places in which the limestone bedrock reaches the coast. This means that the area is rich in caves and hence cave churches.
1. Cave Monastery of St Nicholas, Aya Nikola Manastırı
2. Kıyıköy Harbour churches, Kıyıköy Liman Oyma Kiliseleri
3. Kıyıköy Necropolis, Kıyıköy Şarapçı Yolu Kaya Oyma Mezarı
4. Rock-cut church on Çalışkan Farm / Çalışkan Çiftliği Kayaya Oyma Kilise
Posted June 16, 2016 Posted by Adam in Uncategorized
Balkaya is cave central for this region of limestone north of Vize. It has been inhabited since there were people to need shelter and inevitably the more religious of the Byzantines determined that living under rocks was the life for them. There are the remains of settlements throughout the Balkaya region and some of the churches merit interest. Forget the usual arguments about dedications and which bits stem from which era – it’s enough that these still exist. For a while, they were used as livestock shelters. This practice seems to have been curtailed now.
1. Church 1, Balkaya Kayaya Oyma Kilise 1
2. Church 2, Balkaya Kayaya Oyma Kilise 2
3. Church 3, Balkaya Kült Alanı
4. Necropolis, Balkaya
Posted June 16, 2016 Posted by Adam in Uncategorized
General view of the site
The Archaeological Museum is housed in the lovely Nilüfer Hatun İmareti and may one day reopen after its extended restoration. To the west of the museum is a piece of ancient Nicaea that is being excavated. At the extreme north-west of this area (40.430578, 29.725142) lies the remains of a church.
Excavation with column sections
Much of the building still lies under the surrounding streets but a little of the columned structure has been exposed.
Looking along the northern boundary of the site
This is a large site and it will take time for each item to be studied. This looks like a small chapel at the moment but this may change as more comes to light.
Posted June 15, 2016 Posted by Adam in Uncategorized
The church from the north-west
Excavation of the theatre site is under way as at the start of 2016. It’s about time – Iznik’s theatre is impressive and other sites have drawn the attention of the limited supply of archaeologists. This church is immediately to the south-east of the theatre (40.426228, 29.717525) and is finally being examined in a systematic way. The TAY website notes that the church remains have been used as a warehouse, barn and rubbish dump. After it was emptied of rubbish, local children had a new playground for a while. Now the church is safely behind razor wire and looking a bit like a dignified church ruin. Perhaps something will be found out about it because not much is known at present.
Remains of southernmost nave.
It’s an interesting sort of building arranged on a strict east-west axis. The apses at the eastern end appear to have been destroyed in the construction of Bozkır Sokak. This is a pity because the rest of the main body of the church is largely intact. One arch remains of an inner narthex. The rest of the floor plan at the western side may be a large exonarthex.
Western end of the church
The floor level has risen significantly with deposition of sediments over the centuries. There is a lot of work to do here.
The site from the south
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