Ancient Sculptures & Historical Wonders Tour: Yesemek & Antakya

🗿 Discover the Masterpieces of Ancient Craftsmen & the Legacy of Antioch
This fascinating tour takes you through the artistic and historical wonders of Southern Turkey, exploring the stone-carving heritage of Yesemek and the rich religious history of Antakya (ancient Antioch). From monumental sculptures to one of the earliest Christian churches, this journey offers a blend of craftsmanship, culture, and history.

Tour Itinerary
🕘 Morning Departure from Your Hotel
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Gaziantep or Antakya, and your historical adventure begins.

Explore the Masterpieces of the Ancient World

🗿 Yesemek Open-Air Sculpture Workshop
Visit Yesemek, an ancient stone-carving workshop that dates back to the Hittite Empire (15th–8th century BC).
Walk among hundreds of unfinished basalt sculptures, including lions, sphinxes, and deities, carved by skilled artisans.
Learn about the sculpting techniques used by ancient craftsmen, shaping the art and culture of the region.

⛪ St. Pierre Church – The Cave Church of Saint Peter
Travel to Antakya (Ancient Antioch), one of the first centers of Christianity.
Visit St. Pierre Church, a cave-based church with a beautifully carved stone façade.
This is one of the oldest Christian places of worship, believed to have been used by Saint Peter himself.
Discover the historical and religious significance of Antioch, where the term “Christian” was first used.

🛍️ Free Time in Antakya’s Traditional Bazaar
Enjoy leisure time exploring the bustling bazaar, where you can:Shop for local crafts, spices, and handmade souvenirs.
Experience the flavors of Antakya’s famous cuisine, including kunefe, hummus, and traditional Turkish delights.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic trade hub.

End of Tour & Return to Hotel
🚐 Afternoon Departure from Antakya
After a day of exploring ancient sculptures, religious history, and vibrant markets, you will return to your hotel.
💬 Interested in more historical adventures? We are happy to assist with additional tours and travel arrangements in Turkey!

Tour Inclusions
✔️ Hotel pick-up & drop-off
✔️ Professional guide service
✔️ All entrance fees
✔️ Round-trip transportation
📜 Uncover the legacy of ancient artisans and religious history with this unforgettable tour of Yesemek & Antakya!

Day 1 :

🗿 Yesemek and Antioch Tour

Ancient Art & Christian Heritage Tour: Yesemek & Antakya
🗿 Discover the Sculpting Legacy of Yesemek & the Religious History of Antakya
This full-day historical tour takes you to two of the most culturally and archaeologically significant sites in Southern Turkey. Begin your journey at the ancient Yesemek Sculpture Workshop, where Hittite artisans carved statues over 3,000 years ago. Then, travel to Antakya (ancient Antioch), a city that played a pivotal role in early Christianity and the Crusades.

Tour Itinerary
🕘 9:00 AM – Hotel Pick-Up & Departure from Gaziantep
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Gaziantep, and your historical adventure begins.

Morning: Yesemek Open-Air Sculpture Workshop
🗿 Yesemek Ancient Quarry & Sculpture Workshop
Explore the largest open-air sculpture workshop from the Hittite period, where over 300 statues have been excavated since 1890.
Learn how Yesemek’s craftsmen carved massive statues from a single block of stone, refining them for final touches upon delivery.
Discover the unusual depictions, including:Sphinxes with female heads and feline bodies.
Winged figures and mountain gods.
Scenes of hunting and war.
Hear about how sculpting mysteriously stopped when the Assyrians took control, leaving unfinished statues still visible today.

Afternoon: Exploring the Historic City of Antakya (Ancient Antioch)
🏛️ Antakya – The Crossroads of Civilizations
Travel to Antakya, formerly known as Antioch, one of the most important cities of the ancient world.
Learn how Antioch was a center of early Christianity, where followers of Jesus fled from Jerusalem and spread their faith.
Hear about the city’s role in five Crusades, making it a key battleground of medieval history.

🎨 Antakya Mosaic Museum – A Collection of Ancient Art
Visit Turkey’s second-largest mosaic museum, displaying stunning Roman and Byzantine mosaics.
Admire the incredibly preserved tilework, showcasing mythological figures, religious scenes, and everyday life from the Roman era.

⛪ St. Pierre Church – The Cave Church of Saint Peter
Visit the Church of St. Pierre, an early Christian church carved into a natural cave.
Discover how this sacred site was used by early followers of Christianity, and how it later received an ornate stone facade.
Learn why this church is believed to be one of the oldest Christian places of worship in the world.

Free Time & Bazaar Exploration
🛍️ Explore Antakya’s Local Bazaar & Shops
Enjoy free time to wander through Antakya’s vibrant bazaar, where you can:Shop for handmade crafts, spices, and antiques.
Try local delicacies like kunefe and hummus.
Soak in the atmosphere of this ancient trading hub.

🚐 Evening Departure & Return to Gaziantep
After a full day of historical exploration, you will return to Gaziantep, arriving in the evening.
💬 Looking for more historical experiences? We are happy to assist with additional tours and travel arrangements in Turkey!

Tour Inclusions
✔️ Hotel pick-up & drop-off
✔️ Professional guide service
✔️ All entrance fees
✔️ Round-trip transportation
📜 Step into the past and uncover the incredible history of Yesemek & Antakya on this unforgettable tour!