Mustafa Kemal University - Foreign Relations Office

ABOUT HATAY

Hatay is located in mid-south Turkey. Hatay is one of the 81 provinces in Turkey and Antakya is the central city of the Hatay province. MKU Rectorate and main campus are located in Antakya.

Antakya

Antakya, the biblical city called 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.

How to Reach Antakya

1) By airplane: You can easily arrive in Antakya from Istanbul and Ankara by airplane. Turkish Arlines and Anadolu Jet have direct flights to Hatay Airport. The airport is about 25 km to the Antakya city centre. Shuttles and taxis are also available. There are round-trip flights between Istanbul and Hatay twice every day while there are flights between Hatay and Ankara once every day .

2) By bus: It takes about 15 hours from Istanbul to Hatay, about 9 hours from Ankara to Hatay and about 3 hours from Adana to Hatay by inter city buses. Some inter city bus companies are Metro, Jet, HAS, and GÜNSAS.

Climate

The dominant climate in Hatay Province is the Mediterranean climate and summer seasons are hot and dry while winter seasons are mild and precipitant.

History

With approximately 2300 years of historical background, the date of the first settlement in the Antakya region extends to the 8000 B.C. The city was founded by Commander Seleukos after the death of Alexander the Great. The city had entered under the dominance of different civilizations. The city was conquered by Yavuz Sultan Selim during his military expedition to Egypt and had entered under the rule of Ottoman Empire. The Independent Hatay State was founded in 1937 and had been bounded to the Republic of Turkey in 1939.

What to Eat

The local beauties and patterns of Hatay province are reflected in the rich food culture of the region. Oruk, Öcce, Ekşili Börülce (sour kidney - bean), Beyaz Kabak Borani (White marrow borani), Cevizli Biber (Muhammara) (pepper with walnut), Bakla Ezmesi (Broad bean paste), Humus (chickpea), Nazlı (meat meal), shish kabab are the meal varieties of the region which would increase your appetite. Among the local desert varieties Peynirli Künefe, Taş Kadayıf (Kataif), Kabak Tatlısı (Marrow desert), Kereviç, and züngül could be counted.

Where to Visit

Hatay Archeology Museum (Antakya Mosaic Museum):

The Antakya Museum houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. These fantastic mosaics were uncovered at excavations in Antakya and nearby Daphne. The museum holds the second place in the world with its richness in mosaic collection and in the third place with its richness of coin collection. Various jewelry, statues, tombs and archeological findings belonging to various periods discovered at the excavations executed in Harbiye, Antakya, Aççana, Çevlik and İskenderun are exhibited in the museum.

Harbiye (Daphne):

The ancient city is located 7 km away from Antakya city center and is a beautiful promenade place. This ancient city is the famous city of Daphne of the ancient ages. According to the legend, Apollo, son of Zeus and god of light sees a young and beautiful lady named Daphne and falls in love with her. The god wants to speak and tell her his love. But the afraid young Daphne starts to run away from the god. After a short chase, Daphne understands that she could not escape from the god. She prays "O mother earth, cover me, hide me, protect me". Then Daphne was transformed into a tree under the astonished looks of Apollo. After this event the victories of poetry and warfare starts to be awarded by the branch of the Daphne tree.

Another rumor is that the waterfalls of Harbiye was formed from the tears of Daphne. The city of Daphne was famous with its waterfalls in Selevkos periods and was a worldwide famous promenade place. There were numerous mansions, temples and entertainment facilities. The arranged Olympic games at the stadium of the city was legendary. However severe earthquakes had destroyed this beautiful ancient city and there have been no visual structures or artworks left.

Covered with orchards, gardens, laurel trees, and waterfalls, this is an excellent place for a good meal. Harbiye is now a famous and beautiful promenade place located at a plateau and also is an important district with the discovered and uncovered statues and touristic souvenirs. The natural silk clothing produced in the district with workbenches are highly demanded both in the country and abroad. In October, the delicious Harbiye persimmon is in season. Wonderful laurel-scented soap can be purchased here.

Mosques and Churches

Hatay is an important center for faith tourism and the first Catholic Church of the world, Saint Pierre Church is located inside the borders of Hatay province. The important mosques of the region are Habib Neccar Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Külliye of Sokullu Mehmet Paşa, Külliye of Sultan Suleiman.

St. Pierre Church (Center):

It is on the Antakya - Reyhanlı road and at feet of Habibi Neccar Mountain. It is believed that St. Pierre, which was turned into a church while it was a natural cavern, is the first church of the world. Also it was firstly called the persons who are following Jesus Chirst, as "Chirstian" in the history in this church. Church, is an important religious center as being the place where one of the 12 saints of Jesus Christ, St. Pierre tried to spread the Christianity after death of Jesus Christ. On 1963, it is announced as a pilgrimage (hajj) place by Papa VI. Paul. Every year on 29th of June a ceremony is performed here. There are mosaic residues at the floor and frisks on the walls of the church.

Habibi Neccar Mosque:

Habibi Neccar Mosque is known as the first constructed mosque of the Antakya city. Mosque, which was constructed instead of an ancient Roman temple during Baybars period, was reconstructed during Ottoman period in 17th century as it had been damaged by an earthquake IXth century, but minaret had hold its former appearance. Under the structure reflecting the Ottoman architecture, there are three cemeteries that the public visit. This place is regarded as holy as it is thought to be the location where the event of Habib-ün Neccar mentioned in the Koran occured.

Ulu Mosque (Sultan Selim Mosque):

Ulu Mosque, which is located in Antakya city center and known as the oldest structure of the city, is constructed on XVI. Century, and reflecting the initial period architecture of Islam. It is demolished in 1987 and reconstructed at the same style.

Tel Aççana:

The ancient city is located on the Antakya - Reyhanlı highway. There are two palace ruins from 5th century B.C. 17 different settlement layers were determined. The archeological findings discovered here are exhibited in Hatay Archeology Museum.

Tainat:

The ruins of a Hittite palace and temple was discovered at the excavations in Tainat. The findings are exhibited in Hatay Archeology Museum.

Bakras Castle:

The castle is located at the 27th kilometer of Antakya - İskenderun highway and is 4 km. inland from the road. The castle was constructed on a steep hill and is multi-layered. Most of the castle is intact in the present day.

Magnificent Suleyman Mosque (Belen Mosque, Belen):

It is constructed on 1553 by Kanuni Sultan Süleyman at Belen. Mosque is a cubic structure at west of caravansary.

Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Kulliye (Payas):

In Yakacik (Payas), off the highway that outlines the coast of the Gulf of Iskenderun, the splendid 16th century includes a historic mosque, bath, bazaar, caravanserai, and madrasa. Other monuments include the Cinkulesi (Tower of Jinns) and a castle. It is a kulliye, which is composed of magnificent structures primarily a caravanserai and bazaar, hamam, mosque, theology school and castle. In the inscription on doors of the Caravansary, it is written that it is constructed on 1574 “for being a permanent piece of art on mortal world” by grand vizier of Ottoman ruler, Yavuz Sultan Selim, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa. Courtyard of the mosque is organized as a theology school. Cin (Jinn) Tower is located between the castle and the harbor in order to protect the harbor. It was constructed in 1577 as a guard tower.

Samandag:

Samandag, 25 km south-west from Antakya, is a resort town with a pristine beach. Seleucia Peria (Cevlik), north of town, was founded around 300 B.C. and by the time St. Paul and St. Barnabas made their first missionary journey here, it was a busy port. The most interesting monument to see is the Tunnel of Titus, built to divert rain water. Even by today's standards it is a tremendous engineering achievement. You should drive to Kapisuyu village for the spectacular panorama from the Zeus Temple of the ancient harbor, sandy beach and fertile plain. Baptism place, cistern and other architectural ruins can be seen in Saint Simon Monastery which is known to the center of the Leaving World Sect. Church. It was constructed in the name of St. Simon in VI. A.D. It is believed that St. Simon retired into seclusion on 20 meters high column and lived there for 45 days. This experience of St. Simon has been recoreded to the Guinness Book of Records.The pedestal of the column can also be seen today.

Dor Temple is possible to spot the ruins of pillars over a dominant hill at the Çevlik locality of Kapısuyu region.

Iskenderun

Formerly Alexandretta, was founded by Alexander the Great after his victory over the Persians on the plain of Issos. Today it is a busy commercial center and port with a fine harbor. Excellent hotels, restaurants and cafes line the sea front surrounded by parks and palm trees. The culinary speciality of Iskenderun is delicious prawns. Gourmets should also try künefe, a hot dessert of sweetened shredded wheat filled with melted cheese and humus, an appetizer of pureed chickpeas, garlic and paprika.

Ulucinar (Arsuz)

On the coast south of Iskenderun, the holiday town of has good beaches, hotels, guest-houses and restaurants.

Hatay - Habibi Neccar Mountain and Nature Reserve

The mountain is 10 km from Antakya. The nature reserve around the mountain is famous for its cultural as well as natural value, especially for St Pierre Church, which was carved into the rocks. After the death of Christ, St Pierre came to Antakya in 29 AD to preach. The Charon monument, 200m north of the church, is huge sculpture of Haron, known as Boatman of Hell in mythology, carved into the rocks. The main species of tree are cluster pine, oaks and sandalwood. The mountain is also home to foxes, rabbits, partridges and stock doves.

Reyhanlı Hamamat Thermal Springs:

The Thermal Spring is located in the Kumlu district on the Reyhanlı - Antakya highway. It is the biggest thermal spring of the region and the waters of this spring is said to cure most of the diseases.

Erzin Başlamış Thermal Springs:

The waters of the thermal spring and the curative mineral water is said to cure various diseases. The thermal and mineral waters come out in various locations between the rocks at the Başlamış Village of Erzin District. The mineral waters of Erzin is slight salty and sour and contains earth alkali, bicarbonate and carbon dioxite. The waters also contain bromide.

Antakya Ottoman Palace Thermal Hotel:

This new five-star thermal hotel is located about 12 km north of Antakya.

DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT

- Visiting Archeology Museum, St. Pierre Church, Habib-i Neccar Mosque, Antakya Castle, Çevlik Promenade area, Titus Tunnel, St. Simen Monastery, Old Antakya houses , Harbiye Promenade area, Külliye of Sokullu Mehmet Paşa , Arsuz shore line, Bakras Castle and Koz Castle

- Tasting İçli Köfte, Aşur, Ekşi Aşı (sour meal), Humus, Cevizli Biber (pepper with walnut), Kaytaz Pastry, Katıklı Bread, Künefe, Taş Kadayıf, Kabak Tatlısı (Marrow desert) and Kereviç,