Discover Mesopotamia in Turkey

After your flight and a road trip, you’ll end up in Antakya, Turkey. In ancient times, the city was known as Antioch and was one of the largest cities in the Roman empire. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the modern city before you explore ancient Antioch tomorrow.

The first stop of your tour is Habibi Neccar Camii, the oldest mosque in Turkey. It was built in the 7th century A.D., and the body of early Islamic martyr Habibi Najjar is said to lie in the mausoleum here.

Next, head to Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop, an open-air museum. It has over 300 sculptures that were unearthed during an archaeological expedition, including sphinxes, lions, and gods. You’ll learn about the time that these sculptures were made and how the ancient people made them.

You’ll start today at the Hatay Archaeology Museum. It contains some of the world’s finest Roman and Byzantine mosaics from the 1st to 5th centuries A.D. A tour guide will point out the most impressive mosaics and tell you about their history.

Next, you’ll spend some time traveling to Side, one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey. You’ll visit the Temples of Apollo and Athena, ancient Side’s deities. The temple of Athena dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Your tour guide will tell you about the history of these sites and this classical era.

Today you’ll travel to Gaziantep. Your first stop is Kale, where a castle probably used to stand in Hittite times (1700-1200 B.C.). The more recent construction probably took place after 1059, when it was restored. Your tour guide will tell you more about Hittite times.

Now, make your way to the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum. It showcases beautiful floor mosaics that are almost complete that were saved from Roman villas, as well as the Gypsy Girl and Birth of Venus mosaics.

After you’ve eaten dinner, make sure to order a piece (or two) of pistachio baklava. There are over 180 pastry chefs in the city, and this is their specialty.

You’ll spend your day at the Beehive Houses in Harran, which are based on a design dating back to the 3rd century B.C. They’re still made of mud or clay bricks to this day, and they can withstand earthquakes, wind storms, and heavy rainstorms.

Next, it’s time to volunteer! You’ll plant some bee-friendly flowers in the city of Harran. Bees are in decline, but they’re vital to our ecosystem. Planting these flowers will help them feed their hive and help them keep pollinating.

It’s your last day in Turkey. Today, you’ll be seeing more ancient sites. Your first stop is Soğmatar. The people who lived in this village from 150-200 A.D. made sacrifices to the sun and moon gods, who are carved into the side of a ledge. You’ll tour a nearby cave with 12 ancient statues.

The last stop on your tour is the expansive remains of Şuayb City. It has large stone walls and a network of subterranean rooms. One of these rooms is a mosque that’s supposed to be the home of the prophet Jethro.

Your tour may be coming to an end, but you’ve learned so much about these ancient civilizations. Hopefully, this trip will prompt you to keep studying history!