Antioch Archaeological Site

Antioch was an important ancient city on the Orontes River in what is now Hatay Province, founded in the Hellenistic period and later a major Roman and Byzantine centre.

Antioch was established in the early Hellenistic era by Seleucid rulers and flourished through Roman and Byzantine times as a political, commercial and religious centre. It was also a key early Christian community and metropolitan see.

The ancient city is located at modern Antakya in Hatay Province, in southern Turkey near the Orontes River and within reach of the Mediterranean coast.

• Founding and importance: Founded around 300 BCE by Seleucus I Nicator, it became a major Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine metropolis and an early centre of Christianity.
• Mosaics and museum: Much of Antioch’s best-preserved mosaics and artefacts have been excavated and are displayed in the Hatay Archaeology Museum in modern Antakya.

What to See#

• Seleucia Pieria: Seleucia Pieria served as the ancient port of Antioch and lies on the coast where the Orontes reaches the Mediterranean; its harbour works and remains are separate from the inland city.
• Hatay Archaeology Museum: The Hatay Archaeology Museum in modern Antakya holds extensive mosaics and finds recovered from Antioch and nearby sites.

Antioch corresponds to modern Antakya in Hatay Province. The nearest airport is Hatay Airport (HTY); a taxi or shuttle from HTY to Antakya takes around 20-30 minutes (roughly two dozen kilometres). Antakya is also served by Turkey’s intercity bus network - long‑distance buses arrive at Antakya Otogar (bus station) from cities such as Adana, Gaziantep and Istanbul; many of the historic sites are in the Antakya town center and are within easy walking distance from the bus station or town hotels.

• Aim for early morning weekday visits to Antakya's archaeological museum and the old town to avoid tour-coach crowds that arrive later in the day.
• Enter the historic district from the Orontes riverside side (near the old market) to walk directly into the Ottoman-era bazaar and mosaic-focused museum area rather than approaching from the modern city center.
• Don't skip Saint Peter's Cave Church and the nearby mosaic displays-these are within easy walking distance of the museum and are often overlooked by visitors who only see the bazaar.