2000 year old Roman obelisk in peach orchard

The 2,000-year-old Roman tomb monument in the heart of peach orchards in Iznik, Bursa, attracts both local and foreign visitors. This obelisk, which UNESCO has listed as a temporary heritage site, has stood for two millennia as a significant historical artifact.

Located just 5 kilometres from Iznik, this monument stands out with its three-sided structure and five white marble blocks rising upwards. The large surface of the monument bears the inscription in Greek: ‘C. Cassius Philiscus, son of C. Cassius Asclepiodotus, lived 83 years’. Built in the 2nd century to honour L. Cassius Philiscus, the original height of this obelisk is 15.5 metres and stands on a square prism base. Although there was once a statue of a bird on the top, this statue has unfortunately been lost in time.

Burial Chamber and Illicit Excavations

Experts believe that the buried section in the lower part of the monument contains a tomb. Large rubble stones unearthed in illicit excavations and traces of masonry in pits indicate that this area was built as a tumulus burial chamber. Today, visitors can see a 12-metre section that remains in five pieces at its base. The locals often refer to this monument as the ‘Five Stones, Obelisk and Nisantasi’.

The obelisk was not damaged by earthquakes

Retired Museum Director Taylan Sevil emphasises the uniqueness of this ancient artefact. ‘It stood on a caravan route in the 1st century BC. Today it remains in the fertile Iznik plain. The structure consists of a rectangular prism on a three-stepped base and five triangular prisms made of cut marble stones. Although many earthquakes have caused significant damage in Iznik since its construction, this structure has successfully withstood them. This funerary monument is important; it was built in honour of C. Cassius Philiscus, who lived in the 1st century, and it retains its historical and touristic value today.’