Antakya – Antioch

Antakya is the seat of the Hatay Province in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. In ancient times the city was known as Antioch and has historical significance for Christianity, being the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were called Christians for the very first time. The first church built by man (St. Peter’s Church) is in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey.

About Antakya

Antakya is located on the banks of the Orontes River (Turkish: Asi Nehri), approximately 22 km (14 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers, and mild and wet winters; however due to its higher altitude, Antakya has slightly cooler temperatures than the coast.The city is in a valley surrounded by mountains The mountains are a source of a green marble.

See Antioch for the long, rich history of this area in the ancient and classical periods, dating back to the Calcolithic era of 5000 BC (as revealed by excavations of the mound of Tell-Açana among others). Subsequent rulers of the area include Alexander the Great, who after defeating the Persians in 333 BC followed the Orontes south into Syria. The city of Antioch was founded in 300 BC, after the death of Alexander, by the Seleucid King Antiochus Soter, and went on to play an important part in the history as one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and Byzantium, a key location of the early years of Christianity, the Antiochian Orthodox Church, the rise of Islam and The Crusades.

With its remarkable history there is much for visitors to see in Antakya.

  • Antakya Archaeological Museum has the second largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world, found when excavating Roman villas on the hillside at Harbiye.
  • the rock-carved Church of St Peter, with its network of refuges and tunnels carved out of the rock, a site of Christian pilgrimage. There are also tombs cut into the rock face at various places along the Orontes valley.
  • The seedy Gündüz cinema in the city centre was once used as parliament building of the Republic of Hatay.
  • the waterfall and restaurants at Harbiye.
  • Ottoman Habib-i Neccar Camii is the oldest mosque in Antakya.
  • The labyrinth of narrow streets in the old market area
  • The views of the city from the hillsides above

    • With its rich architectural heritage, Antakya is a member of the Norwich-based European Association of Historic Towns and Regions

    Travel Tips

    How to get

    Regular flights with Turkish Airlines (THY) from İstanbul and Ankara and with SunExpress from Antalya to Adana, from where you can rent a car and head south to Hatay (approximately a four-hour drive from Adana to Antakya). Flights from İstanbul (daily) and Ankara (five weekly) to Antakya.

    Where to stay

    Antakya Beyazıt; Tel: (326) 216-2900. Charming boutique hotel in an old French-colonial era building. Saray Oteli; Tel: (326) 214-9001. Budget town center hotel, perfectly acceptable.

    Where to eat

    Antakya Evi, Sihali Caddesi. Lovely old townhouse setting, good food and licensed. Sultan Sofrası, İstiklal Caddesi. Great food, lots of local dishes but not licensed.

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