The City of Nicaea was founded long ago during the time of Alexander the Great. Built with great symmetry in the form of a square, it is surrounded by a wall of cementing stone that has lasted for thousands of years. Rocky roads all intersect each other at right angles. Together with four gates they form a monument in the center of the city that can be seen from the top of all four gates. The city is located at an important crossroads that attracts trade from all over the Byzantine Empire, being only 45 miles from Constantinople.
