ISKENDERUN (ALEXANDRETTA)
Iskenderun,
formerly Alexandretta, was founded by Alexander 
the
Great after his victory over the Persians on the Plain of Issos. Today
it is a busy commercial center and port with a fine harbor. Excellent hotels,
restaurants and cafes line the sea front surrounded by parks and palm trees.
The culinary specialty of Iskenderun is delicious prawns. Gourmets should
also try kunefe, a hot dessert of sweetened shredded wheat filled with
melted cheese, and humus, an appetizer of pureed chickpeas, garlic and
paprika. Good souvenirs include hand carved wooden tables and chairs and
other objects of wood. On the coast south of Iskenderun, the holiday town
of Ulucinar (Arsuz) has good beaches, hotels, guest-houses and restaurants.
On the way to Antakya, off the main road, is the mountain resort of Sogukoluk
where you can retreat in the summer from the blazing sun. After you cross
the Belen Pass, stop at Bagras Castle, held at various times by the Byzantines,
Mamluks and Crusaders.
ANTAKYA (ANTIOCH)
Antakya,
the biblical city of Antioch, lies on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile
plain surrounded by the grant mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid
kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury In Roman times, the city
continued to thrive with commerce and culture. It featured prominently
in early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St.
Paul and St. Peter all visited the city. For joining our special In the
Footsteps of St. Paul tour please check our tour
page. The Antakya Museum houses one of the richest collections of Roman
Mosaics in the world. (Open weekdays except Monday). These fantastic mosaics
in stone were uncovered mostly at excavations in Antakya and nearby Daphne.
Outside the town the grotto of St. Peter is the cave church from which
the Apostle preached for the first time and where he established the Christian
community. In 1983 the church was declared a holy site by the Vatican.
Other places of interest include a Bustling Bazaar and the Mosque of Habib
Neccar South of the grotto, the iron gate was one of the actual entrances
of Biblical Antioch. Strolling thru the old part of town you can not help
recalling that St. Paul, St. Barnabas, another Saints walked these streets
for little has changed since that time. The castle of Antioch set high
above the city offers a magnificent view over the city and the plain.
South of Antakya is Harbiye, the ancient Daphne, where according to mythology
Apollo tried to make the wood Nyph Daphne his lover. To escape him, she
changed into a laurel tree. The city was a luxurious suburb in Roman times
covered with orchards, gardens, laurel trees and waterfalls, this is an
excellent place for a good meal. In October, the delicious Harbiye dates
are in season wonderful laurel scented soap can be purchased here. Samandag,
25km from Antakya, is a resort town with a pristine beach.
SELEUCIA
PERIA
Seleucia Peria
(Çevlik), north of town, was founded around 300 B.C. and by the
time St. Paul and St. Barnabas is made their first missionary journey here
it was a busy port. The most interesting monument to see is the Tunnel
of Titus, built to divert rain water. Even by today's standards it is a
tremendous engineering achievement. You should drive to Kapisuyu village
for the spectacular panorama from the Zeus Temple of the ancient harbor,
sandy beach and fertile plain. Two roads lead from Antakya to Syria: the
one to the east and Aleppo passes thru the frontier town of Reyhanli; the
one to the south goes through Yayladag towards Laskiye, Tripoli and Beirut.
