Known as the City of sages in Otoman times, İzniks history goes back to antiquity. The city has played an important role in world and Turkish culture, being best known for the two Ecumenical Councils held here in early Christian era, and for the İznik ware tiles and ceramics produced during the Ottoman period. Metochites described the city as surrounded by gardens of paradise`, and the 17th century Turkish writer Evliya Çelebi said that it had five seasons. (Editors): Halil İnalcık, Işıl Akbaygi ...