Antakya, Ancient Mediterranean settlement in Hatay Province, Turkey.
Antakya is a major urban center in Hatay Province, southern Turkey, extending along the valley of the Orontes River. The surroundings consist of mountains and agricultural plains, while the settlement itself mixes older neighborhoods with newer residential zones.
Seleucus I Nicator established the settlement in 300 BCE and named it after his father Antiochus. Under Roman rule, it grew into a major hub of the eastern Mediterranean and became one of the largest centers in the empire.
The name Antioch still appears in religious contexts and historical references, linking the modern settlement to its ancient past. Churches and mosques share the urban space, reflecting centuries of coexistence among different faiths.
Visitors reach the area through Hatay Airport and can explore the different neighborhoods on foot or by public transit. The university brings a young population, which expands the range of cafés and affordable dining options.
The Tunnel of Titus, a Roman engineering work from the first century, diverted floodwaters around the settlement by channeling the river through the mountain. Visitors today can see sections of this ancient water system in the hills west of the urban center.
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