The amalgamation of cultures represented by a synagogue, Catholic church and the Sarımiye Mosque will surprise you. The Catholic church consists of two 150 year old houses that were joined and turned into a small monastery. It has a 70 strong community. Today there are three patriarchs in Antakya: the Syriac, Maronite and Greek-Catholic patriarchs. From the terrace on the upper floor of the church you can take pictures very similar to the photograph featured in the poster used for the “Religious Tourism Project.” The bell tower and the minaret of the Sarımiye Mosque behind it fit into the same frame.

APOLLO’S LOVE FOR DAPHNE Legend has it that Apollo was a very good archer and he made fun of the bowmanship of Eros, son of Aphrodite. Eros decided to seek revenge and prepared two arrows. One, dipped into liquid gold, would instill passion and endless love in the person it struck. The other arrow would alienate the person it struck from love and passion. The golden arrow struck Apollo in the heart and he fell desperately in love with Daphne, daughter of the Greek God of the Sea, Peneus. Unfortunately the other arrow struck Daphne. Daphne continuously fled from Apollo and rejected his love. One day, while fleeing, Daphne was caught by Apollo and she asked her father, the Greek God of the Sea Peneus for help. Peneus turned Daphne into a bay tree and thus has she forever remained. Legend has it that this event happened in the Harbiye town of Antakya. The Apollo and Daphne mosaic on display in the Antakya Archaeological Museum represents this legend. Locals have named the famous waterfalls of Harbiye “Apollo’s Tears.” These falls flow through bay trees.

FLIGHT CARD WE FLEW FROM ANKARA TO ANTAKYA WITH ANADOLUJET Based in Ankara and with a fleet of five aircraft, THY’s sub-brand AnadoluJet began operating in 2008 with 304 flights. Currently operating with a fleet of eight aircraft and 370 flights to 20 cities, Anadolujet offers a great price advantage due to the streamling of passenger services. We purchased a return ticket to Hatay with Anadolujet online on 13 September for a one way cost of 29 TL.We were very satisfied! ANKARA-ANTAKYA (HATAY) ROUTE: 1' 20" Passenger : Özlem Özkan www.anadolujet.com.tr

After being brought into the air traffic network three years ago, Antakya began to draw large numbers of local tourists in particular. The TV series “Asi,” very popular last season, was shot here and it is said to have played a role in the development of tourism. In fact, the series and air transportation seem to have begun almost simultaneously. AnadoluJet’s very reasonable prices provide one with an excellent opportunity fly over for the weekend. Food, beverage and accommodation prices are also very reasonable and bear no comparison with Istanbul or Ankara.

		THE HABİB-İ NECCAR MOSQUE: The Habib-I Neccar Mosque, situated on Kurtuluş Avenue, is named after a local man of Antakya who was the first to believe in John and Paul, Apostles of Christ, and who was stoned to death for this. The mosque was rebuilt during Ottoman times; through narrow stairs leading under the mosque, one can reach Habib-i Neccar’s tomb.
THE SAINT PIERRE CHURCH: The world’s first Catholic church, it was built within a cave two kilometers to the east of Antakya.

The city is located in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean. We land in the city before dinner time and our service car takes us to the Savon Hotel. This boutique hotel, the name of which means “soap,” was converted from a soap factory and restored. It offers a truly pleasant accommodation experience. The moment we arrive at the hotel the first thing we do is rent a car. We are aware that there are many sightseeing places in and around Antakya and we are determined to see them all.

GETTING TO KNOW THE CUISINE After having settled in the hotel we go to the much-praised Antakya Evi (Antakya House) where we previously made a booking. In Antakya Evi, where one can taste a variety of dishes and appetisers from Antakya, we try and enjoy many dishes, from oruk to paper kebab, from humus to a variety of breads. I am very curious about borani and yes, it’s just for me, so I try both courgette and spinach borani… Besides the food, Antakya Evi, which is a 110 year old house, also has other interesting features; such as the floor tiles, which have originated from Marseilles. We stand in awe of the owner Ali Solak, who knows many interesting facts. If he is at Antakya Evi when you go there, I would say that you should make an effort to talk to him.

HATAY IN THE REPUBLICAN PERIOD Prior to Hatay becoming part of its motherland, Turkey, the State of Hatay was founded on 2 September 1938 and lasted for 10 months. Its territory was the area defined as the Iskenderun Province in League of Nations documents. Following a decision taken on 16 June 1939 in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the border between Turkey and the State of Hatay was removed. On 23 July 1939, after the last French battalion left and the Turkish flag was hoisted at the barracks in a ceremony also attended by the French battalion, the accession of Hatay to the motherland was completed.

REYHANLI: This 100 year old farmhouse, built in the French architectural style, has been used as one of the settings for the TV series “Asi,” shot in Antakya.

THE SECOND LARGEST MOSAIC MUSEUM IN THE WORLD
The Archaeological Museum, situated on Cumhuriyet Square and adjacent to the Asi River, is the second largest museum in the world of mosaic collections. Ancient Antioch, founded around 300 BC, prospered and grew under the Seleucids. In 42 BC it became the third largest city in the world after Rome and Alexandria. The notables of the city settled in the area called Daphne (Harbiye). They had large palaces built in this area, famous for its waterfalls and incredible beauty. The mosaics made for these palaces by the greatest artisans in the world are now on display in four large halls of the museum. The mosaics, dating to Roman and Byzantine times, depict mythological events and characters.

THE FIRST CHRISTIANS
After the museum we go to the Saint Pierre Church, the first Catholic church in the world, built within a cave two kilometers to the east of Antakya. Christianity first spread outside Jerusalem via this church in Antakya and the followers of Christ were named “Christians” in Antakya. Every year on 29 June a special ceremony is held in the church, declared a place of pilgrimage for Christians by the Pope in 1963,

WINDING STREETS, COURTYARDS AND MEAT PITA AT THE BAZAAR
The winding streets of the old city of Antakya lead through a past of at least 100 years. Houses open onto inner courtyards behind high walls. In these courtyards there are fruit trees such as citruses, pomegranates and apples. Located in this area, the Uzun Çarşı (Long Bazaar) presents fascinating colors. This is where you can see examples of traditional handicrafts characteristic of Antakya. One of the most important stopovers in the bazaar is the Pöç Kasabı (Tel: 0326-2139503), recommended by everyone who has been to Antakya, where you can taste sini kebab. Minced lamb meat, onions, Antakya chilli pepper, tomatoes, parsley and salt are mixed together, cut finely and spread out on a tray. Cooked in an oven for 10 minutes, the dish is served with pita bread. And if you want dessert, Yusuf Usta’s künefe cooked on cinders is very famous. In the bazaar you can buy pepper paste, pomegranate syrup, virgin olive oil, spices, sürk cheese and laurel soap.

HARBIYE WATERFALLS AND THE TITUS TUNNEL
The waterfalls at Harbiye, a leisure center in antiquity situated at a distance of seven kilometers from the city, must be seen. In the rows and rows of shops one can buy soaps of laurel oil, hand made silk fabric and small statuettes. A one hour trip from Harbiye will take you to Samandağı. The road passes through citrus tree and olive tree orchards. The city of Seleucia is spread over the slope of Mount Musa and the remains of the ancient harbor are still visible. The Titus Tunnel, an engineering wonder of ancient times, is situated here. The Emperor Vespasian had the first tunnel in the world dug in the rocks to protect the city from the floods that threatened it. 300 meters of the 1380 meter long tunnel, dug by one thousand slaves in 10 years, runs under the mountain.

WINDING STREETS: The winding streets of the old city of Antakya lead through a past of at least 100 years.

The Archaeological Museum, located in Cumhuriyet Square, right by the Asi River, is the world’s second largest museum of mosaics.