Located less than 20 miles from the Syrian border, the ancient city of Antioch is a perfect place to begin a pilgrimage in this nation rich with biblical significance. After an inexpensive flight from Istanbul, Gabriel and I picked up a pre-arranged rental car at the airport to begin our cross-country travel west to the Mediterranean coast. Driving away from the airport, we were surprised to learn our car had no gas! We later found out this is a common practice with rental car agencies in Turkey. Thankfully, there were a number of gas stations a few miles away where we could fill our tank.
As we entered the downtown area of Hatay (Antioch), we felt like we had stepped back in time. After getting lost on one-way streets and hilly dirt roads, we were finally successful in finding our hotel. The setting in this quaint rural area carried both the charm of village life and the conveniences of modern living.
Our first goal was to visit the ancient cave church where early believers first worshipped. As Paul and Barnabas were anointed for kingdom ministry in Antioch, it seemed fitting to ask for the same in this historic setting. Carved into the side of a mountain, the interior of “The Church of St Peter” is small with the recessed cave and its escape route blocked off to visitors. The 5th century mosaic floors give a sense of the beauty this cave once held.
We couldn't help but notice a certain statue featured prominently throughout the city through signs, billboards, and even a larger-than-life topiary positioned at the entrance to the city. It became our quest to locate this strange-looking artifact! Knowing we'd find it in a local museum, we ended up in the wrong spot at the Hatay History Museum, a museum devoted to the Turkish heritage. We were so glad to find our way to the Hatay Archeology Museum (located here), and see this statue of Hittite King Suppiluliuma who ruled in the 9th century B.C.E. The Hittite people believed the king was assigned by God to be protector and "Gate Guard" of society. This statue is one of the oldest artifacts ever discovered in Turkey.
The Hittites hold an important place in biblical history. Abraham bought the burial ground for his wife Sarah from Ephron the Hittite, even though he didn't want to exchange any money for the land. Bathsheba, who later became King David's wife, was first married to Uriah the Hittite. Though God reassigned Hittite territory to the Israelite people, their memory continues on through the pages of His Book.
Located less than 20 miles from the Syrian border, the ancient city of Antioch is a perfect place to begin a pilgrimage
in this nation rich with biblical significance. After an inexpensive flight from Istanbul, Gabriel and I picked up a pre-arranged rental car at the airport to begin our cross-country travel west to the Mediterranean coast. Driving away from the airport, we were surprised to learn our car had no gas! We later found out this is a common practice with rental car agencies in Turkey. Thankfully, there were a number of gas stations a few miles away where we could fill our tank.
As we entered the downtown area of Hatay (Antioch), we felt like we had stepped back in time. After getting lost on one-way streets and hilly dirt roads, we were finally successful in finding our hotel. The setting in this quaint rural area
carried both the charm of village life and the conveniences of modern living.
Our first goal was to visit the ancient cave church where early believers first worshipped. As Paul and Barnabas were anointed for kingdom ministry in Antioch, it seemed fitting to ask for the same in this historic setting. Carved into the side of a mountain, the interior of “The Church of St Peter” is small with the recessed cave and its escape route blocked off to visitors. The 5th century mosaic floors give a sense of the beauty this cave once held.
We couldn't help but notice a certain statue featured prominently throughout the city through signs, billboards, and even a larger-than-life topiary positioned at the entrance to the city.
It became our quest to locate this strange-looking artifact!
Knowing we'd find it in a local museum, we ended up in the wrong spot at the Hatay Museum of Archeology, a museum devoted to the Turkish heritage. We were so glad to find our way to the
Hatay Archeology Museum
(located
here), and see this statue of Hittite King Suppiluliuma who ruled in the 9th century B.C.E. The Hittite people believed the king was assigned by God to be protector and "Gate Guard" of society. This statue is
one of the oldest artifacts ever discovered
in Turkey.
The Hittites hold an important place in biblical history. Abraham bought the burial ground for his wife Sarah from Ephron the Hittite, even though he didn't want to exchange any money for the land. Bathsheba, who later became King David's wife, was first married to Uriah the Hittite. Though God reassigned Hittite territory to the Israelite people, their memory continues on through the pages of His Book.
