Foundation promotes İznik tiles worldwide

With a mission to promote the traditional art of handmade İznik tiles, which disappeared 400 years ago without a trace, the İznik Foundation has been making efforts to keep the art alive by producing these exceptional pieces of work in its workshop in İznik.

These tiles are produced with original recipes from 600 years ago with traditional production methods.

The art of producing İznik tiles is more than 1,000 years old, and these tiles adorn the walls of mosques, madrasas, tombs and palaces in the Anatolia region. This art reached its peak with works made in the 16th century in the İznik region.

Architect Mimar Sinan made use of İznik tiles marvelously in some parts of the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and Topkapı Palace. Another important work of Sinan is the Selimiye Mosque embellished with İznik tiles.

Due to the emerging economic difficulties in the Ottoman Empire and the palace's inability to finance the workshops during the 17th century, the production of İznik tiles slowed down and later disappeared without leaving any documents behind. Though different structures were tried to be established to continue the production of İznik tile, they were not successful.

Established under the leadership of Professor Işıl Akbaygil in order to research İznik tiles, compile and develop information on this subject and transfer it to new generations, The İznik Foundation conducted research and development studies in its first two years to reach original recipes.

Masters from Kütahya and professors from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK ), Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Princeton University were included in the research team. The foundation, which was established in 1997...