The Basilica in honor of the Christian Saint Martyr Neophytos saw at the bottom of lake Iznik, thanks to aerial photography

the ruins of the Basilica of IV century BC, found at the bottom of lake Iznik, near the Turkish city of Bursa, decided to turn into an underwater Museum, informs local edition of the Hürriyet Daily News.

Temple at the bottom of the lake was discovered in early 2014. The head of the archaeological Department of Uludag University in Bursa, Professor Mustafa Sahin (Mustafa Şahin), said that a group of researchers did an aerial survey of the area to describe the historical and cultural monuments and saw the Basilica from the air. This Basilica was named first in the top ten most important archaeological discoveries of 2014 by the American Archaeological Institute@

Experts believe that the temple collapsed during the earthquake of 740. Managed to establish that the Basilica was dedicated to the Holy Martyr Neophyte, who died during the persecution of the early Christians under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Galerie@

the Ministry of culture and tourism of Turkey has approved the construction of the underwater Museum, which will be administered by the municipality of Bursa. Preparatory work has already begun. Searching other archaeological sites in the area of the Basilica, will be collected seismic indicators and bathymetric data of the area, after which it will be composed of the architectural design of the underwater musea@

Material was prepared by Maria Onuchin, AI

Источники: artnet.com, artinvestment.ru