Antakya, the biblical city of Antioch, lies on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile plain surrounded by grand mountains. Once the capital of the Seleucid kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury. In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture. It featured prominently in early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St. Paul and St. Peter all visited the city. Outside the town, the Grotto of St. Peter is the cave church from which the apostle preached for the first time and where he established the Christian community. The Antakya Museum houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world.

SITES OF INTEREST: Soğukoluk and Yayladağı forest recreation areas Arsuz beaches, Alalah (Tel Açana), Tel Tayinat, Çatalhöyük (Kanula), Harbiye (Dophne), İssos, El-Mina, Arsuz (Rhossos or Rosus), Seleukeia Pieria settlements and city, Antakya (Antiokheia) city walls, Traianus Sukemeri, Heronion, Koz (Kürşat), Payas, Bakras, Sarıseki, Şalen and Darb-ı Sak (Bayezıd-i Bistami) castles, St. Petrus Grotto, Cin (genie) Tower, Girls' Palace (Kasr El-Benet), Sokullu Mehmed Pasha complex, Habib Neccar Mosque, Sokullu complex, Hatay Archeology Museum.