Antioch (Antakya)
Antioch — modern Antakya — is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and the city from which Paul and Barnabas set out on the missionary journeys. The Cave Church of Saint Peter, cut into the slope of Mount Starius, is among the oldest Christian places of worship anywhere. The city was struck by the earthquake of 6 February 2023 and much of the old centre is being rebuilt; the cave church itself survived, and reopened to visitors in January 2024 after its approach was repaired. Antioch is visited on our longer St Paul pilgrimage programmes.
Photo: Volkan Hatem / CC BY 2.5
Discover Antioch (Antakya)
Antioch — modern Antakya — is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and the city from which Paul and Barnabas set out on the missionary journeys. The Cave Church of Saint Peter, cut into the slope of Mount Starius, is among the oldest Christian places of worship anywhere. The city was struck by the earthquake of 6 February 2023 and much of the old centre is being rebuilt; the cave church itself survived, and reopened to visitors in January 2024 after its approach was repaired. Antioch is visited on our longer St Paul pilgrimage programmes.
Must-See Attractions
Cave Church of Saint Peter
A church cut into the mountainside, with a Crusader facade restored in 1863. It survived the 2023 earthquake and reopened in January 2024; it is open daily as a museum, and is used for worship only on rare occasions.
Hatay Archaeology Museum
One of the world's great collections of Roman mosaics. Damaged in 2023 and closed for restoration; it is reopening in phases, targeted for late 2026. Check before planning a visit.
The old city and the Orontes
The historic quarter along the Orontes river. Much of it was lost in 2023 and is under reconstruction — visitors should expect a city being rebuilt, not a preserved old town.
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