Church of the Domition / Koimesis

The Church of the Dormition (Koimesis) in the south-west of the city (40.433715, 29.717429) was probably built in the late 6th century. Its mosaics ^[1] were documented in 1898 and the photographs of Theodore Schmit taken in 1912 are all that remains of these fine artworks ^[2]. The mosaics appear to have originated in the 11th century. Cyril Mango has, as is his wont, made a detailed explanation of why they should be dated to a period in the second half of the century ^[3] and not earlier. The church was dynamited by Turkish troops in 1921 or 1922. There is not much left. It is even difficult to see the floor plan of a Greek cross with a longer apse than normal.

Some beautiful pieces of marble from the church will be on display at Iznik’s Archaeological Museum when it eventually reopens.

^[4]

Site of the Church of the Dormition

^[5]

Architectural pieces from the Church of the Dormition