15 Days St. Paul's Biblical Christian History Tour in Turkey

Welcome to Istanbul, one of the world's most fascinating cities and the perfect starting point for a Biblical and Christian journey through Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you are met by The History Travel Agency team and transferred to your hotel. Standing at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, Istanbul served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires — an extraordinary introduction to the transformation of early Christianity and Byzantine civilization. After check-in, relax and prepare for the journey ahead, with optional evening experiences such as a Dolmabahce Palace visit, a traditional Turkish cultural show or a Whirling Dervish performance.

Saint Savior in Chora

Today reveals the extraordinary religious and artistic legacy of Constantinople, once the heart of the Byzantine Empire. Begin at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener, one of the most important spiritual centers of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, then continue to Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church, the Church of Saint Mary Pammacaristos, the distinctive metal-built Bulgarian Saint Stephen Church and the Church of Panagia of Blachernae. The day's highlight is Saint Savior in Chora, internationally admired for its extraordinary mosaics and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary — one of the finest introductions to Byzantine Christian art anywhere in Turkey.

Travel toward Ankara, Turkey's capital, for an important introduction to the ancient civilizations of Anatolia that provides valuable context for the Biblical landscapes ahead. Explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, tracing artifacts from Paleolithic communities through Hittite, ancient Anatolian, classical and Byzantine periods. Visit the Temple of Augustus in the historic Ulus district, reflecting the reach of Rome across Anatolia — the political world in which Paul and the earliest Christian communities lived — and Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Journey through the heart of Anatolia toward Cappadocia, with a stop in the Aksaray region before reaching the breathtaking Ihlara Valley, a dramatic volcanic canyon of profound importance for Christian history — early communities carved churches and chapels directly into its soft rock, decorating them with Biblical frescoes. Continue to the remarkable Ozkonak Underground City, exploring the living quarters, food-preparation areas, stables, worship spaces and defensive passages that sheltered entire communities beneath the surface of the earth.

Goreme Open-Air Museum

A full day dedicated to Cappadocia's volcanic landscapes and extraordinary Christian heritage. Visit spectacular Uchisar Castle for panoramic views, then Guvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley before the day's centerpiece: the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a monastic complex of churches carved directly into the rock and decorated with Biblical frescoes of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the saints — including Saint Basil Church, Elmali Church, Saint Barbara Church, Serpent Church, the Malta Crusader Church and the Dark Church. Continue to Zelve Open-Air Museum, famed for its fairy chimneys and historic cave settlements, and Avanos for a hands-on pottery experience using the region's celebrated red clay.

One of the most meaningful days of the entire journey: Tarsus, the traditional birthplace of Saint Paul the Apostle, whose Jewish, Greek and Roman background made him a bridge between worlds. Visit Saint Paul's Well, traditionally associated with the Apostle, and the Saint Paul Memorial Museum, which preserves the local Christian traditions connected to his life. See the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, a site significant in both Christian and Islamic tradition, the historic Cleopatra Gate, and walk near the remains of the ancient Roman road once travelled by merchants, soldiers and missionaries. Continue toward the historic Hatay region for the evening.

Saint Pierre Church

Ancient Antioch, today's Antakya, played a central role in the growth of early Christianity — according to tradition, this was where followers of Jesus were first called "Christians." Visit Saint Pierre Church, a rock-hewn cave church and one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Christian travelers in Turkey, then Habib Neccar Mosque, reflecting the city's remarkable multi-faith history, and the Hatay Archaeology Museum, celebrated for its extraordinary Roman mosaic collection. End the day at the tranquil Harbiye Waterfalls before continuing toward Mersin.

Travel west along one of Turkey's most scenic Mediterranean routes, stopping in Anamur before exploring the atmospheric ruins of Anemurium, an ancient port city with remains of Roman residences, early Christian heritage, trade quarters and historic cemeteries set dramatically against the coastline. Continue onward to Antalya, one of Turkey's most beautiful Mediterranean cities, for the evening.

A full day among the most impressive ancient cities of southern Turkey. Begin at Side, a historic Mediterranean port with a well-preserved ancient theatre, colonnaded streets and harbour. Continue to Perge, a Biblical city associated with the missionary journeys of Saint Paul, where Roman streets, stadium remains, baths and monumental gateways bring the world of the earliest Christian missionaries to life. Finish at Aspendos, home to one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere in the Mediterranean — a masterpiece of Roman engineering and acoustics.

Enter one of the most important regions for travelers interested in the Seven Churches of Revelation. Visit ancient Laodicea, a wealthy trading city and one of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelation, then Hierapolis, a Roman and Byzantine city famous for its Great Theatre, Byzantine Christian remains, the Temple of Apollo and the Plutonium sanctuary. The surrounding Lycus Valley — Hierapolis, Laodicea and Colossae — offers rich insight into the world of the early Church in Asia Minor. End the day at Pamukkale, the breathtaking "Cotton Castle," where brilliant white travertine terraces have formed from mineral-rich thermal waters over thousands of years.

Continue through the Biblical cities of western Anatolia. Visit ancient Philadelphia, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation and once an important trading post, then Sardes, the magnificent former capital of the wealthy Kingdom of Lydia, associated with the legendary King Croesus. Sardes is also named among the Seven Churches; explore the remains of its ancient synagogue — evidence of the diverse religious communities of ancient Anatolia — and the impressive Temple of Artemis, before continuing toward the Aegean coast at Kusadasi.

House of the Virgin Mary

One of the greatest highlights of the entire journey. Enter magnificent Ephesus, once one of the greatest cities of the Roman world and a place where the Apostle Paul spent an important period of his ministry. Walk the marble streets, admire the spectacular Library of Celsus, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre — closely associated with events in Paul's ministry — and the site of the Temple of Artemis. Visit the historic church area linked to early Christian tradition, then the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, a tranquil site of pilgrimage and reflection, and the Basilica of Saint John above Selcuk. In the afternoon, wander the picturesque streets, cafés and Orthodox Christian heritage of Sirince Village.

Pergamon Acropolis

Travel to Izmir, historically known as Smyrna and named among the Seven Churches of Revelation, visiting Saint Polycarp Church, associated with one of the most important figures of the early Christian community there. Continue to ancient Pergamon, another of the Seven Churches and one of antiquity's most powerful cities. Explore the dramatic Acropolis and its spectacular hillside theatre, the fascinating Red Basilica — a monument that reflects the transformation of religious spaces through history — and the Asclepion, one of the ancient world's great centers of healing.

Hagia Sophia of Nicea

Travel to Nicea, today known as Iznik, internationally significant as the site of the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD — one of the defining events in the development of Christian doctrine and the formulation of the Nicene Creed. Explore the historic and archaeological landscape of ancient Nicea and visit the Saint Sophia Church area, associated with the city's continuing Christian history and later church councils, before returning to Istanbul for the evening.

After breakfast, your unforgettable 15-Day St. Paul's Biblical Christian History Tour in Turkey comes to an end. Take with you extraordinary memories of Saint Paul's birthplace, the Biblical cities of Revelation, early Christian churches, Roman and Byzantine civilizations, Cappadocia and the Mediterranean coastline. Departure transfer arrangements are made according to your travel schedule. Thank you for traveling through the extraordinary Biblical and Christian heritage of Turkey with The History Travel Agency.