St. Paul
Seleucia Peria |
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 (Cevlik), 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.
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