Antakya, also known as Antioch, Antioch-on-the-Orontes is the capital of Hatay Province, Mediterranean Turkey. It is not to be confused with Antalya, another city in Mediterranean Turkey, several hundred kilometers to the west.
This city in the very south of Turkey was an important centre of early Christianity, with some of the first non-hidden churches. Today it’s a truly multicultural place, where you can hear prayers in many different tongues. Many sects of Christianity (Greek Orthodoxy, Syriac Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism to name a few) and Islam (Sunni and Alawi), as well as Judaism, are all represented with their dedicated temples in Antakya.
Ethnically, Arabs constitute almost half of the population whereas the other half is constituted by Turks. Arabs in the city speak Levantine (Shami) dialect of Arabic, which is also prevalent in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The city is not located on the sea-shore, but the Asi River (formerly known as the Orontes River) flows through the city center.
Church of St. Peter in Antakya : One of the oldest churches of Christianity.
Must see places in Antakya
- Mosaic Museum (Mozaik Müzesi) or the Antakya Archeological Museum in the city has the second largest collection of classical/Roman mosaics in the world. The museum also features a good coin collection, artifacts from the Iron and Bronze ages found in sites nearby and a very impressive sarcophagus with great reliefs. You can check many items from the collection through the official website of the museum.
- One of the oldest churches of Christianity, Church of St. Peter, is a must see in Antakya. Entrance to the church is 8 lira (as of Nov 2010). The church is about a 30 minute walk from the museum. To reach the church you need to go across from the museum, through the bazaar and at the end (when you exit the bazaar) make a left and go on for about over a kilometer – the church will be visible up on the hillside.
- Büyük Antakya Parkı is the park that is located just in the midst of the city, by the River Asi and behind the famous mosaic museum of the city. Many locals visit the park during the day, and especially early in the morning to do sports. Note that there are many open air tea houses within the park, hence it’s the address to go for a tea or coffee or hookah when the weather is nice.
- Titus Tunnel, Cevlik, Samandağı, Antakya. The Titus Tunnel (Titüs Tüneli) is a Roman engineering marvel. During the reign of Emperor Vespasian (69-79 AD), the Roman governors of Seleucia Pieria (Samandag), the port city for Antioch ad Orontes (Antakya), decided to divert a river. They put Roman legionnaires, sailors and prisoners to work cutting a channel along and through the rock for about 1.4 km (nearly a mile). Continued under Emperor Titus (79-81), inscriptions tell us it was completed during the reigns of the Antonine emperors decades later. Today the channel is dry, but still worth a visit. A small parking area and entrance is just inland from the beach at Samandag. A path ascends along the channel, open to the sky, up and down steps and rocks, to where an arched limestone footbridge crosses. Above the footbridge, the channel continues into the solid rock. You’ll need a powerful flashlight/torch to continue.
When you climb up the stairways to reach the entrance you see window-like holes in the mountain. When you get inside the church, you find a small hole (only one person can fit at once) at the back side which goes up; to the window-like area, which i think is a shelter or something. I've tried to climb up that…
Not a big museum and quite old with AC uneven. Some funny mosaics though in the 2nd room and a nice view on top of the 3rd room.
Amazing collection; nicely displayed. Small enough to do in a couple of hours and impressive enough to be worth the trip. Gift shop very overpriced.
I guess the title explains a lot. This is a quaint old Armenian village. All the villagers engage in organic agriculture, and are proudly displaying – selling their achievements. MUST VISIT!!!
Located close to Samandag in Hatay province about half an hour from Antakya
Vakifli village is an ethnic Armenian village which is said to be speaking a special dialect of Armenian of their own.The crisp village with well kept houses has about 150 residents, concentrated on organic farming and tourim today .
As we were told the older ladies of…
This small armenian village is almost a paradise. It's very serene, very calm and full of very friendly people. It has a church which is renovated in late 19th century. Handcrafts prepared by locals are sold both in the court of the church and at the café in the center of the village. Lots of organic products are also sold…
I went to Antioch of Acts 11 and Acts 13:1 just to get a good feeling of the First Century Church. I happened to be there on a Monday and this place was closed. So I just went till the gate and peeped inside. There is a fee for entry on the open days.
Simple and clean. Only armenian village in this area except Istanbul. They are still keeping their church
The cave church, St. Pierre has to be visited , The place is located just the outskirts of town, easy to reach if you do not have a car you can use a cab . For drivers there are plenty of directions, adequate number of signs posted . There is parking lot . I do not know how to do…
Antakya Parkı, right in the city center neighboring Antakya Archeological Museum by Asi River is an excellent spot to take a break. First established in late 19th century , the park has been refined during the French occupancy in early 20th century.
The park has a wide variety of well established vegetation , nice walking paths, cafe’s and and a part for birds. Locals visit at all times however early morning stroll seems to be the most popular and a very nice way to catch the spirit of the city.
You can always stop by before or after your visit to the museum to have a cup of local coffee, strong and served in tea glass. The park is also nice for families with children.