Pisidia Antiokheia Ancient City The town of Yalvaç, located in the Isparta province, lies near the remains of a once-thriving ancient capital of Pisidia. Historically, this region was referred to as Pisidia Antiokheia. The Pisidia Antiokheia ruins can be found just about a kilometer from the modern town of Yalvaç. Thanks to excavations initiated upon the request of Atatürk, a large section of the ancient city has been brought to light. The foundation of Antiokheia dates back to either 39 or 36 BC, during the reign of Seleukos I or his son Antiokhos. Later, under the rule of Amyntas, the city became part of the Galatian kingdom. In or shortly after 25 BC, Antiokheia was designated as a Roman colony, a title it maintained for more than 200 years. Serving as the central city of Pisidia, it gained religious prominence by becoming a bishopric. The city's prosperity endured until it was devastated during the Arab raids in 713 AD. Perched atop a high elevation, the ancient city was enclosed by an oval-shaped fortification stretching 2,920 meters in length. Depending on the terrain's gradient, the wall's thickness ranged from 1.50 meters on steep inclines to 4.75–5 meters in level areas. To the west of Antiokheia stood its most impressive entrance—an elaborate triple-arched gate flanked by two side pylons and two central pylons. The supporting piers beneath the vaults measured 3.2 x 2.36 meters and were finely crafted with minimal base moldings. The columns on each side were embellished with plaster floral designs and featured 4-meter-wide archways. After the death of Emperor Augustus, a majestic temple in his honor was erected at the summit of the city’s sacred zone. Its foundation was carved directly from the rock, and the structure was elevated on a 2.5-meter-high platform accessed by a flight of twelve steps. Another area, measuring 5.65 x 7.90 meters and extending two meters deep, was also cut into the rock and likely served as a ceremonial storage chamber. In front of the temple lies a grand square measuring 63 x 85 meters, lined with two colonnades, each 5 meters wide, which still remain visible today. The most prominent religious structure in Antiokheia is the Saint Paul Church, located roughly 200 meters south of the outer city wall. It marks the site where St. Paul and Barnabas delivered their first sermon at a synagogue that once stood beneath the church. Due to its historical role in the early dissemination of Christianity, the church holds great spiritual and cultural importance. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Pisidia Antiokheia Ancient City, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will respond as soon as possible.