Faith / Church
Church of St. Pierre (St. Peter's Cave Church)
Antakya, Hatay
A cave church carved into the slope of Mount Habib-i Neccar (Staurin), considered one of the oldest places of worship of Christianity; reopened to visitors after the earthquake.
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Its story
The church consists of a cave carved into the rock with a stone facade added later in front of it. According to tradition, the first Christian community gathered here, and it was in Antakya that believers were first given the name 'Christian'. The present facade and additions were made in the Crusader period, and it was also repaired in the 19th century. In the church, recognized by the Vatican as a place of pilgrimage, a mass is held every year on 29 June. The cave church came through the 2023 earthquakes with relatively little damage and was one of the city's first heritage sites to reopen.
Key facts
- Period
- Early Christianity; facade from the Crusader period
- Status
- Reopened to visitors after the earthquake (2025 sources). Confirm visiting hours.
- Admission
- Paid (Müzekart may be valid)
Trip purpose
- Photography
Location
36.20940, 36.17830
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Peter | https://www.milliyet.com.tr/arkeoloji/hafizalardaki-antakya-7081048 | https://kureansiklopedi.com/tr/detay/saint-pierre-kilisesi-5fdae