{"id":29789,"date":"2022-02-08T15:07:01","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T12:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/one-city-three-days-hatay\/"},"modified":"2022-08-31T12:21:09","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T09:21:09","slug":"one-city-three-days-hatay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/one-city-three-days-hatay\/","title":{"rendered":"One city, three days: Hatay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Let’s go: History of Hatay <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ancient<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Set along the banks of the Orontes (Asi) river and at the foot of Mount Musa, Hatay is an ancient city with evidence of settlements dating from the Bronze Age. The city served as the capital of the Seleucid Empire and was an important trade center during the Roman Empire. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatay came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire during the Egyptian campaign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. In 1937, Hatay declared its independence and in 1939 joined the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye. From that time, it has been known as one of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities; it is also known as the \u201ccapital of tolerance\u201d as it is an important address for three monotheistic religions!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore to the fullest: Places to visit in Hatay<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Orontes
The Orontes River that divides Antakya into two.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before we move on to our list, it must be noted that summers in Hatay are extraordinarily hot. During the rest of the year, the weather in the area is pleasant, and even the winter season is relatively mild. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s embark on our three-day exploration, starting from Hatay\u2019s historical sites and meandering towards its natural beauties and delicious cuisine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical sites of Hatay <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Habib-i
Ancient Mosque of Anatolia and the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every step in Hatay brings you across a piece of history. Mosques, temples and monasteries\u2026This multicultural structure is the foundation of the city\u2019s authentic profile. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habib-i Neccar Mosque<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first mosque built in Hatay, the lovely Habib-i Neccar Mosque was erected in 636 and is believed to have been named after a martyred Antiochian carpenter who defended the disciples of Jesus. It is considered the oldest mosque built within the borders of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye and in Anatolia. It was renovated in the 17<\/span>th<\/span> century, under the Ottomans. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Pierre Church<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

About two kilometers from the city center on the Antakya-Reyhanl\u0131 Road, the St. Pierre Church, carved into a cave, \u201cplayed a significant role in the period of the early Christianity and expansion of the belief.\u201d It is considered by some to have been the first church of Christianity. In the Church are m<\/span>osaic remains from the fourth and fifth centuries, as well as an altar and a small marble sculpture of St. Pierre. In addition, the Church features a tunnel \u2013 used by early Christians to escape attackers. In 1963, the Pope declared St. Pierre Church <\/span>a place of pilgrimage for Christians. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus Tunnel<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Set into a mountain overlooking the sea, the Titus Tunnel is in \u00c7evik, in Hatay\u2019s Samanda\u011f district. Believed to have taken one hundred years to carve and intended to protect the port from flood waters, it was completed by the emperor Titus, the son of Vespasian. This ancient engineering marvel is 1,380 meters long, seven meters high and six meters wide. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Be\u015fikli Cave is about 100 meters from the Titus Tunnel, so you can easily visit both sites together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be\u015fikli Cave (Graves of the Kings)<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Believed to date to the Roman period, the Be\u015fikli Cave houses rock-carved tombs allegedly belonging to a noble ruler and his family. These striking caves are well worth a visit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monastery of Saint Simeon<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Built in the sixth century, the hilltop Monastery featured three churches, an octagonal courtyard, and a baptistery. It was named for Simon Stylites the Younger, who allegedly lived there on a pillar of stone for 52 years. While the complex was destroyed in the 13th century, its ruins are one of the most important faith tourism destinations in the area. It is about a 30-minute drive from Samanda\u011f and 46 kilometers from the Hatay Airport.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatay museums<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hatay<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Atat\u00fcrk Street in Antakya, the Hatay Archeological Museum is known as \u201cthe largest mosaic museum in the world\u201d with 19 exhibition halls. It features a world-renowned collection of Roman and Byzantine mosaics. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hatay City Museum, also in the Antakya center, exhibits objects considered sacred to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, as well as models of historical shops in the Antakya Uzun \u00c7ar\u015f\u0131 (Long Bazaar) and exhibitions on daily life in the city.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Beauties of Hatay <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its rich history as a crossroads for cultures and religion, Hatay has numerous natural beauties worth exploring. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orontes (Asi) River<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A stroll through Antakya will take you to the lovely Orontes (Asi) River, which divides the city. The river\u2019s source is the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and it is 98 kilometers long within the borders of T\u00fcrkiye. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damlata\u015f Cave<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At an altitude of 540 meters in Antakya\u2019s central Payas district is the 120-million-year-old Damlata\u015f Cave. After climbing 190 steps, you\u2019ll reach the cave and it\u2019s striking stalagmites and stalactites. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Damlata\u015f Cave is accessible via public transportation from all parts of Hatay province.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tree of Musa <\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

About six kilometers from Hatay’s Samanda\u011f district is the monumental Tree of Musa, an ancient plane tree alleged to have grown from a staff set by Moses into ground along a stream. The Tree of Musa can be visited throughout the week and is under protection. Adjacent to it is the aforementioned stream. Believed to have been the source of water for the monumental tree, it is called Ab-\u0131 Hayat, \u201cthe water of immortality\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samanda\u011f Beach<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just 13 kilometers from the Tree of Musa is the 25-kilometer-long Samanda\u011f Beach. Accessible via public transportation as well as taxis, this gorgeous stretch is considered one of the world\u2019s longest beaches. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dining: What to eat in Hatay<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Traditional<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t even know where to start! Hatay is famous for its food, with at least 200 local and regional dishes, with hummus, ka\u011f\u0131t kebab, k\u00fcnefe, and k\u00f6mbe just a few of the scrumptious selections awaiting you. Since we cannot name all of them, we\u2019ve listed a few below:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n