Former German president hails Türkiye's Iznik as major Christian heritage site

Christian Wulff, the former President of Germany, has lauded the archaeological significance of Iznik during a personal visit to the historic district in northwestern Türkiye. Wulff toured key sites with family and friends, expressing profound admiration for recent discoveries that underscore the area's importance to early Christian history.

A tour of ancient wonders

The former German head of state visited multiple locations in Iznik, part of Bursa province, including the Istanbul Gate within the ancient city walls and the Afyon Sultan Mosaic Excavation Area. His tour concluded at the Ancient Theater, where he spoke to reporters. Wulff described being deeply impressed by the region, noting Türkiye's vast and rich historical tapestry. "Extraordinary discoveries have recently been made in Iznik," he stated, highlighting the site's growing prominence.

Emotional connection to early Christian finds

Wulff specifically highlighted the discovery of an early Christian basilica and a remarkable floor mosaic believed to be the world's earliest known depiction of Jesus, dating to around 380 AD. "As a Christian, learning about the beginnings of Christianity in the region just a few centuries after the birth of Christ was deeply emotional for me," he shared. He emphasized that the finds are "extremely impressive" and predicted they would attract Christians from across the globe in the coming years, positioning Iznik as a premier destination for faith-based and archaeological tourism.

Potential for global cultural tourism

The former president's visit underscores the international cultural and religious value of Türkiye's archaeological heritage. Wulff firmly believes "Iznik has great potential as an archaeological discovery site." This endorsement from a prominent European figure highlights how Türkiye's meticulous preservation and excavation work is gaining global recognition, offering a bridge between cultures and faiths through shared history. It reinforces Türkiye's role as a custodian of civilizations at the crossroads of the world.