Iznik

Buildings with similar histories in Iznik and Trabzon were turned back into functioning mosques in 2011 and 2013 respectively.

Throughout history, certain techniques and styles have been particularly coveted, including Japanese raku ware, Turkish Iznik pottery, Persian earthenware, Italian majolica, Dutch delftware and Native American pottery.

There were 17th-century Persian rug fragments, Iznik tiles, an 18th-century Italian console table, Indian miniatures, baroque wall mirrors, and even more unexpectedly, he collected the flags of countries ranging from Botswana and Swaziland to Norway, New Zealand and the United States.

One wall of the house was covered with Iznik tiles that, seen together, looked like a single artwork.

The Blue Mosque, with its Iznik tiles, is lovely – but I prefer the 16th-century mosque of Rüstem Pasha, down in a side-street off the Spice Bazaar.