Biblical Sites in Turkey
Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Hierapolis, whose name means "sacred city," was believed by the
ancient inhabitants to have been founded by the god Apollo. It was
famed for its sacred hot springs. The city also had a significant
Jewish community and was mentioned by Paul in his Letter to
Colossians.
House of Virgin Mary -Ephesus
The House of the Virgin Mary is located in park between Ephesus and
Seljuk, it is believed that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus spent
here her last days. The peaceful site is sacred to both Christians
and Muslims, and is visited by many tourists and pilgrims.
Laodicea
Laodicea is an ancient city in modern western Turkey, founded by
Seleucid King Antiochus II in honor of his wife, Laodice. The city
was an early center of Christianity and one of the Seven Churches of
Revelation. Remains of the ancient city include a stadium,
sarcophagi, an amphitheatre, an odeon, a cistern and an aqueduct.
Miletus
Miletus, located in western Turkey, was one of the most important
cities in the ancient Greek world. St. Paul stopped at Miletus on
his Third Missionary Journey, on his way back to Jerusalem. There
are many well-preserved ruins to be seen at the site, including a
Temple of Apollo, and a Byzantine church.
Pisidian Antioch
Pisidian Antioch (also called Antioch-of-Pisidia) was a major Roman
colony visited by St. Paul on his First Missionary Journey. Pisidian
Antioch marked an important turning point in Paul's ministry, as the
city became the first to have a fully Gentile Christian community.
Highlights of a visit he
re
are the archaeological site and the Yalvas Archaeological Museum.
Priene
Priene is an ancient city located just to the north of Miletus in
western Turkey. It was an ancient Greek holy city and the home of an
important temple of Athena. Priene's ruins include several columns
of the Temple of Athena, much of the city wall, a well-preserved
theater and a council chamber.
Sardis
Sardis (modern Sart) was the capital of the ancient kingdom of
Lydia. Ancient Sardis had a very large Jewish community, which
produced the largest ancient synagogue outside of Palestine.
Christianity
arrived in the 1st century AD and Sardis was one of the Seven
Churches of Revelation.
St. Policarp Church - Izmir
The Saint Polycarp Church is the oldest church in Izmir and
represents ancient Smyrna's role as one of the Seven Churches of
Revelation.
Tarsus
Tarsus is a Turkish city 27 kilometers east of Mersin, best known as
the birthplace of Paul the Apostle. The Apostle Paul was born in
Tarsus and seemed to be proud of his birthplace. In Jerusalem, as he
was being arrested, Saint Paul told the tribune: "I am a Jew and a
citizen of the well-known city of Tarsus in Cilicia".
Temple of Artemis - Ephesus
Near Ephesus one can see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis (or Artemision). Artemis
was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo.
Grand Theater - Ephesus
The Great Theater is a part of the archaeological site of Ephesus,
included in the list of sacred destinations for its biblical
significance: this is traditionally where St. Paul preached against
the pagans.
Thyatira
Thyatira was an early center of Christianity. The apostle Paul
visited the city on a number of occasions during his missionary
travels. Lydia, the woman converted by St. Paul at Philippi, was
from Thyatira (Acts 16:13-15), and the church at Thyatira was one of
the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2:18-29).
Zeus Altar- Pergamum
The famous Zeus Altar of ancient Pergamum is located on the
Acropolis overlooking modern Bergama. The Zeus Altar was constructed
by Eumenes II (197-159 BC) as a memorial of Pergamum's victory over
the Galatians under Attalus I.
Biblical Sites in Turkey List