Biblical Sites in Turkey
Approximately 60% of the names of the places mentioned in the Bible are in Turkey.
Below
you can find the list of the most important sacred and religious
places in Turkey.
Akdamar Church - Eastern Anatolia
Akdamar Church or Church of the Holy Cross is a ruined Armenian
cathedral in Eastern Anatolia. It is situated on a small island
in the beautiful mountain setting of Lake Van, the Akdamar
church dates from the 10th century. The Church of the Holy Cross
was once an important Armenian cathedral. The Church of the Holy
Cross was the seat of an Armenian patriarch from 1116 to 1895,
after which it was abandoned due to conflict between Armenia and
the Ottoman Empire. The cathedral was restored by the Turkish
government beginning in May 2005.
Alaeddin Mosque - Konya
The Alaeddin Mosque (also spelled Alaettin) is the largest and
oldest mosque in
Konya,
constructed by the Seljuk Sultan of Rum in 1221. The Alaeddin
Mosque has some interesting architectural features, such as
columns of different sizes and decorations incorporated from
different periods. The interior includes a tomb chamber with the
sarcophagi of a dozen Seljuk sultans.
Antioch
Antioch is the place where the followers of Jesus were first
called Christians. In the later history of Antioch, 10
assemblies of the church were held there, and it became the
residence of Patriarch of Asia.
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias is one of the oldest sacred places in Turkey, it is
dedicated to the Mother Goddess Aphrodite, it was the site of a
magnificent Temple of Aphrodite. Aphrodisias also offers ruins
of a large theater, a stadium and other structures, as well as
an on-site museum displaying artifacts.
Basilica of St. John - Ephesus
The Basilica of St. John was a great church in Ephesus. It
stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is
identified as the apostle, evangelist, author of the Fourth
Gospel and Revelation
,
and prophet.
Blue Mosque - Istanbul
The Sultanahmet Mosque (better known as the "Blue Mosque") is
located Istanbul. In the 17th century, Sultan Ahmet I wished to
build an Islamic place of worship that would be even better than
the Hagias Sophia, and the mosque named for him is the result.
The two great architectural achievements now stand next to each
other in Istanbul's main square. One of the most notable
features of the Blue Mosque is its six minarets. This is very
unique, as most mosques have four, two, or just one minaret.
Cave Church of St. Peter - Antioch
The Cave Church of St. Peter (also the Grotto of St. Peter) is
an ancient cave church with a stone facade, located outside
Antioch in modern Antakya, Turkey. This cave is believed to have
been dug by the Apostle Peter himself as a place for the early
Christian community of Antioch to meet, and thus to be the very
first Christian church.
Cave of the Seven Sleepers - Ephesus
The Cave of the Seven Sleepers is located about .8km away from
Ephesus. The "Seven Sleepers" were seven young men who hide
themselves in a cave during the persecutions against the
Christians (c.250). They fell asleep, miraculously waking up
around 435 in the time of Theodosius II. The seven men wandered
into the city of Ephesus, watching surprised at all the churches
and the freedom of worship for Christians. The Sleepers later
died
naturally and were buried in the cave in which they had slept..
Church of Mary - Ephesus
The Church of Mary is a church of great historical significance
located in Ephesus. It is also known as the Double Church,
because it is thought one aisle was dedicated to the Virgin and
the other to St. John, and the Council Church because the
Council of Ephesus is believed to have been held here.
Church of St. Nicholas - Myra
The Church of St. Nicholas in ancient Myra (modern Kale or Demre)
is a ruined Byzantine church containing the tomb of St. Nicholas
of Myra.
Didyma - Western Anatolia
Didyma located on the west coast of Turkey, was an important
sacred site in the ancient Greek world. Its famous oracle and
Temple of Apollo attracted crowds of pilgrims. Today, the
temple's mysterious ruins still attract thousands of visitors -
Didyma is one of the most popular tourist destinations in
Turkey.
Fatih Mosque - Istanbul
The Fatih Mosque in Istanbul is important because of its
resident, Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Mehmet). The Fatih Mosque
was constructed between 1462 and 1470 by Sultan Fatih Mehmet ("Mehmet
the Conqueror"; 1432-81), who took Constantinople in 1453.
Grotto of St. Paul - Ephesus
The Grotto of St. Paul or Cave of St. Paul is a cave in Ephesus
that contains important Early Christian frescoes and
inscriptions. The Grotto of St Paul has been a Christian sacred
site since the 1st or 2nd century. Possibly associated with a
legend of St Pauls ministry in Ephesus.
Hagias Sophia- Istanbul
The Church of the Holy Wisdom, known as Hagias Sophia in Greek
is a former Byzantine church and former Ottoman mosque in
Istanbul. Now a museum, Hagias Sophia is universally
acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world. Hagias
Sophia was built by the first Christian Emperor Constantine the
Great.
Biblical Sites in Turkey List