Antakya, the biblical city of Antioch, now in Turkey, was the most notorious city in the Roman Empire. It lies on the Asi River on a fertile plain surrounded by grand mountains. It featured prominently in early Christianity and St Barnabas, St Paul and St Peter all visited this city.   Outside the town the Grotto of St. Peter is the cave church from which the apostle preached his first sermon. In 1983 the Vatican declared this church a holy site.

Stroll to the bustling bazaar and visit the Mosque of Habib Neccar. Strolling through the old part of the town, one cannot help recalling that St Paul, St Peter, St Barnabas and other saints actually walked these streets – little has changed since then. Time seems to have stood still in this part of Turkey since the Biblical times! The Castle of Antioch is set high above the city and affords an excellent view of the city and the plain.  The Antakya Museum (open Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am to noon and 1.30 pm to 5 pm) houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world.

Mid range and cheap hotels are south of the Otogar (bus terminus). Buses connect Antakya to Aleppo and Damascus in Syria. The Tourist office telephone number is (326) 216 0610.

For more detailed country information, see Turkey.