Biblical Sites & the Journeys of St Paul

1St Peter's Cave ChurchAntakya, Hatay

Carved into the slopes of Mount Stauris, this cave is honoured by tradition as one of the first places where Christians gathered to worship, and with Peter's time in Antioch. It was in Antioch, the Book of Acts tells us, that the disciples were first called Christians. Few places feel so close to the very beginning.

2St Paul's Church and WellTarsus, Mersin

"I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia," Paul says in Acts, "a citizen of no mean city." In his hometown, visit the historic St Paul's Church and the ancient well that local tradition links to his family's house. For anyone following the apostle's life, this is where the story begins.

3PergeAksu, Antalya

Along the Missionary Road

Paul and Barnabas passed through Perge on their first missionary journey, and returned to preach here on their way home. Walk its long colonnaded street, with the water channel still running down the middle, past baths, gates and a vast stadium. This was a busy Roman city, just the kind the early mission set out to reach.

4Ancient AntiochAntakya, Hatay

One of the great cities of the Roman Empire, Antioch became the first home base of the Christian mission, the city that sent Paul and Barnabas out into the world. Pair a visit to St Peter's Cave Church with the superb mosaics of the Hatay Archaeology Museum to see the wealth and colour of the city they knew.