Antakya Tour (2 Days 1 Night)

Antakya, the ancient city of Antioch mentioned in the Bible, is built on a fertile plain surrounded by high mountains along the banks of the Orontes River. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, the city gained fame for its wealth and grandeur. In the 7th century, Antioch was considered one of the five patriarchal centers of the Christian Church, the others being Rome, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople. During the Roman period, the city continued to develop in terms of trade and culture. It held an important position in the early days when Christianity first emerged prominently. The cave, now known as St. Peter's Cave or St. Peter's Church, is believed to be the place where the Apostle Peter preached during his visit to Antioch and is regarded as one of the earliest Christian places of worship. This cave church on the Antakya-Reyhanlı road is considered as holy to the Christian world as Rome and Jerusalem and stands out as the only surviving structure from the early days when the new faith began to take root. Declared a pilgrimage site by the papacy in 1963, it has also been evaluated as the world's first cathedral. Every year on June 29, Christians and clergy from various parts of the world gather at St. Peter's Church for a special service.

Alongside this early sacred structure, Antakya is home to a Catholic Church and a Greek Orthodox Church. Additionally, the city hosts the Archaeological Museum, known as the Mosaic Museum, which possesses the world's second richest mosaic collection. Antakya also features historically and architecturally significant structures dating back to the Ottoman period, such as Habib-ı Neccar Mosque.

Antakya Ancient Vespasianus Titus Tunnel:

The Vespasianus Titus Tunnel is an engineering achievement dating back approximately 2,000 years. Built near the ancient city of Seleucia Pieria, it is a large tunnel constructed to divert floodwaters threatening the harbor to another direction. According to UNESCO, due to its size, well-preserved original structure, architectural qualities, and engineering features, it is one of the most impressive remnants of the Roman period.