Biblical Sites in Turkey

Turkey is home to about 60% of the names of places mentioned in the Bible. The following is a list of Turkey’s most famous sacred and religious sites.

Alaeddin Mosque, Konya

This mosque is built in 1221 by the Seljuk Sultan of Rum. It is famous for being the largest and oldest mosque in Konya. The Alaeddin Mosque has several unique architectural features, including columns of differing shapes and decorations from various periods. A tomb chamber with the tombs of a dozen Seljuk sultans can be found on the interior.

The City of Antioch (Antakya)

The followers of Jesus were first referred to as Christians in Antioch. In Antioch’s historical significance, ten church assemblies were held there, and it became the home of the Patriarch of Asia.

Aphrodisias, Aydin

Aphrodisias is one of Turkey’s oldest religious sites, dedicated to the Mother Goddess Aphrodite and once home to a glorious Aphrodite Temple. There are also remnants of a large theater, a stadium, and other buildings in Aphrodisias, as well as an on-site museum with artifacts.

Basilica of St. John, Ephesus

In Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John is a magnificent structure. It is believed to be the burial site of St. John, who is known as an apostle, evangelist, author of the Fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation, and prophet.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The Sultanahmet Mosque is known as Blue Mosque which located in Istanbul. In the 17th century, it was an Islamic place of worship that is built. In Istanbul’s main square, the two great architectural creations now stand side by side, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque’s six minarets are one of its most important characteristics. Most mosques have four, two, or one minaret, so this is very unusual.

Church of Virgin Mary, Ephesus

The Church of Mary, located in Ephesus, is a historically significant church. It’s also known as the Double Church because one avenue is said to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the other to St. John, and the Council Church because it’s where the Council of Ephesus is said to have taken place.

Didyma, Western Asia Minor

Didyma, on Turkey’s west coast, was a significant holy site in the ancient Greek world. Its a well-known oracle and Apollo Temple continue to attract large crowds of pilgrims. The temple’s enigmatic ruins continue to attract thousands of tourists today, making Didyma one of Turkey’s most popular places for tourist destinations.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

In Istanbul, the Church of the Holy Wisdom, also known as Hagia Sophia in Greek, is a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque. Hagia Sophia, now a museum, is widely regarded as one of the world’s great structures. Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor, founded Hagia Sophia.