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Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s late-November visit to Iznik, a 2,000-year-old curse tablet is among the artifacts showcased at the historic basilica slated to host him.
Catholics’ spiritual leader and Vatican head Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit the town of Iznik in Bursa, Türkiye's southern Marmara, at the end of November, coinciding with the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Among the artifacts on display at the historic basilica he will visit is a 2,000-year-old curse tablet.
The basilica, discovered 11 years ago about 20 meters off the lakeshore and 1.5–2 meters deep, will host Pope Leo from Nov. 28–30, marking the council’s 1,700th anniversary.
The Iznik Basilica, opened to the public recently, has already drawn large numbers of visitors. Artifacts unearthed there are being displayed for the first time, including the grave stele of Aurelia Theodote Diogenes.
The stele marks the graves of a mother and daughter who died in the third century A.D. It reads: “Aurelia Theodote Diogenes, known for her wisdom, lived in Iznik with her family. She dedicated her life to the Creator along with her sweet daughter, Aurelia Polychronia, who also gave her life. Whoever violates this grave will answer to the Creator on Judgment Day. Farewell, passersby.”
Excavation director Professor Mustafa Sahin, who has devoted extensive effort to the basilica, said that excavation work will continue. Visitor numbers have been increasing steadily since the site opened to the public.
Some visitors traveled from Izmir and Van to see the basilica. Mustafa Yildirim, who came from Van, said: “We are now following the footsteps of the past. We saw it on the news. The Pope is also coming here, and the 1,700th anniversary of the council was held here. Iznik Lake and its history are truly unique.”
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