History and archaeology / Ancient city
Kilistra Ancient City
Meram, Konya
An ancient settlement near Hatunsaray resembling Cappadocia, with rock-cut churches, chapels, cisterns and dwellings.
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Its story
Kilistra began to be settled in the 3rd century BC; it developed in the Hellenistic and Roman periods and became an important settlement in the early Christian era. With its location on the historic Royal Road, it is mentioned together with the nearby ancient city of Lystra; Paul is known to have visited Lystra on his missionary journeys, but it is not certain that he visited Kilistra itself. The cross-plan chapel carved into the volcanic hills, the Sümbül Church, the large cistern, monastic cells and old roads can be explored. After rescue excavations and landscaping, it is visited as an open-air archaeological site.
Key facts
- Location
- Meram, Kilistra (formerly Gökyurt) neighborhood; about 50 km from Konya
- Admission
- Open-air archaeological site (fee/hours should be confirmed)
- Visit duration
- 1–1.5 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
- Day trip
- Hiking
Location
37.66472, 32.21053
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilistra | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lystra | https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/konya/gezilecekyer/kilistra-lystra | https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/tarihi-miras-kilistrada-gecmise-yolculuk/1132415 | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q535982