Staircase Rock (Iznik)
Iznik-Elbeyli Town is located in Hespekli locality, between Iznik-Elbeyli highway, on the cape on the southwestern slope of Çam Koruluğu Hill. It was registered as Merdivenli Kaya by the Bursa Regional Protection Board on 16.11.1992 and defined as a "ceremonial place". The stairs rise towards the northeast with steps around 30 cm high on the bedrock. It consists of 15 steps in total, 4+11. The platform with the steps is 2x4 m. in size. In the section after the top step, the bedrock has been flattened. This situation suggests that this place may have been used for religious purposes in ancient times. In the western and eastern parts of the stairs, it was observed that the main rock was shaved in places and smooth and rectangular areas were opened. It is not known for sure whether the parts shaved in this way were made to give the main rock a religious function or whether they were formed during the stone removal. The area in question was later used as a quarry. Many chisel, chisel and stone cutting slot marks seen on the stone surfaces indicate this situation.