Category: Laodicea Revelation

4 Days Tour of the Best Preserved Biblical Sites of Western Turkey - Revelation Tour

2/4/2019

Smyrna (Izmir) - Pergamon (Bergama) - Laodicea - Hierapolis (Pamukkale) - Ephesus

For many generations Christians, or those who simply have an interest in Christian history and traditions, have traveled to the western part of Turkey which was known as Asia Minor in the biblical times, filled with the incredible christian history and background. The Asia Minor is known for the 7 churches of the Book of Revelation. On top of that St. Paul travelled to the area several times. Near Ephesus, there is a possible house where Virgin Mary spent her last years. Ephesus and the surrounding areas had a history of spiritual awakening and Christian revival.

We have a background in sharing the Western Part of Turkey's Christian Heritage with others, having worked with a broad selection of churches and mission organisations over the years. We are always pleased to organise Biblical Tours of Western Turkey. We are sure that you will find them interesting whether you are a Christian or religious person or simply interested.

There are many possibilities for these tours, depending on how long you area able to tour for. A 1 day tour can take you to many sights of Christian interest in Ephesus. If you have 2 or more days there are many more possibilities such as a tour incorporating ancient cities of Pergamon, Laodicea, Hierapolis (Pamukkale) etc. Get in touch for more details.

For travelers who have limited time and interest to Biblical History. Our recommendation would be to visit the best preserved biblical sights at western part of Turkey and do day trips to them out of Selcuk or Kusadasi towns. Tours are leaded by expert licensed tour guides who has excellent biblical knowledge and locals of the areas.

Pergamon (Bergama)

Ephesus

Hierapolis (Pamukkale)

Below please find suggested tour program:

Day 1 - Smyrna (Izmir) - Pergamon (Bergama)
Depart from your hotel or Izmir Airport. Drive to Izmir, the third largest city of Turkey. Known as Smyrna in the biblical times. Visit the remains of Ancient Agora in Smyrna. From ancient Smyrna there is not much left. The remains of the ancient city is under the modern buildings. Smyrna is mentioned in the Book of Revelation known as the city of prosecution. Continue to the ancient city of Pergamon. Mentioned in the book of revelation in the new testament among the seven churches of asia minor. The city was known as the city where the throne of satan is located. Visit acropolis and asklepion, the ancient famous hospital Drive to your hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Tour Timings:
08.30am - Meet at Izmir Airport
09.30am - Visit Smyrna and Izmir city Center
10.30am - Leave Izmir
12.15pm - Lunch
1.30pm - Visit Pergamon Acropolis
3.00pm - Visit Asclepion
7.00pm - Arrive Kusadasi

Day 2 - Laodicea - Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
After leaving your hotel, drive south east through the fertile lands. Your first stop will be Laodicea. Once a trade city which was known with glossy black wool and eye salve trade. Mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the luke warm city. Afterwards visit ancient Hierapolis which is known as Pamukkale today. Natural thermal springs which has high density of chalk inside formed glacier looking terraces on the areas where flowed for thousands of years. Walk on the white terraces of Pamukkale. Drive back to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Tour Timings:
08.00am - Depart Kusadasi
11.00am - Visit Laodicea
12.15pm - Lunch
1.30pm - Visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale
7.30pm - Arrive Kusadasi

Day 3 - Basilica of St. John, House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus
After meeting your guide drive through the fertile lands. Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards proceed to the mountain where Virgin Mary is believed to spent her 9 years. The house is approximately 1000 feet above sea level and running as an active chapel. Roman Catholics believe that Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with Saint. John 5 years after the crucification. At the age of 63 she is assumed to heaven. Altough there is no fact that Virgin Mary lived here approximately 1.5 million people visit the site each year. After 30 minutes visit to the House of Mary, drive to ancient city of Ephesus. You will be dropped at the upper gate of Ephesus with your tour guide. Start exploring the city. You will be walking down the hill approximately 1.5hrs. You will see the Odeon, the basilica, domitian square, fountain of Trajan, Celcus library, Terrace Houses (optional), Marble street, the Grand Theater of Ephesus and the Harbour Street. You will be endng your tour at the bottom gate.

Tour Timings:
08.30am - Depart Kusadasi
09.00am - Visit Basilica of St. John
10.30am - Visit House of Virgin Mary
12.00pm - Visit Ephesus
2.00pm - Lunch and see the local handcrafts
5.00pm - Arrive Kusadasi

Day 4 - Sardis, Philadephia, Thyatira
After departing Kusadasi. Drive 2 hours to Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of the Church of Sardis. Continue to the ancient Philadelphia Church at Alasehir, the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation, visiting the remains of an early church and the city walls. Finally at Akhisar we visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, another one of the 7 churches, set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardis. At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to Izmir airport for your next destination.

Tour Timings:
08.00am - Depart Kusadasi
10.00am - Visit Sardes
12.00pm - Visit Philadelphia
2.00pm - Visit Thyatira
6.00pm - Arrive Izmir Airport

The cost of the above private tour: 760 Euro (Total to be paid for the group of 1-6 people)

The price includes:

Excellent local licensed Englsih speaking tour guide.
Mercedes Minibus
Transportation costs
Service charges
Lunches

The price does not include:

Hotel Accomodation
Tickets and parking costs to the sites
Drinks during meals

For more information, please contact us.

Recommended hotels to stay in Kusadasi:
(booking.com links)

Hotel Ilayda - 3 Stars

Ephesus Biblical History
Christian Heritage Tours of Ephesus
Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus

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Private Tours of Loadicea - History of Laodicea

2/17/2018

1 Comment

Laodicea is home to one of the seven holy churches mentioned in the book of revelations of the new testament. Only city in Anatolia with four baths and two theaters. Laodicea also boasted the largest ancient stadium (Capacity 25000) in Anatolia.

Ancient city of Laodicea

The city was formerly known as Diospolis, meaning the city of Zeus. The city was named after the wife of Seleucid King Antiochus II: Loadice. The population initially consisted of Greeks, Jews and the soldiers of Antiochus II.

The city of Laodicea was one of the chief seats of Christianity. Laodicea is mentioned in the epistle to the Colossians and is one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelations. The Laodicean church is thought to have been founded by the Colossian Epaphras, a Christian preacher and one of the diciples of St. Paul.

Laodicea is located approximately 100 miles west of Ephesus and was connected to Ephesus with a trade road during the reign of Roman Empire at West, Anatolia. The city was founded in a valley formed by Lycus River. Besides Laodicea there were two more cities stood here: Hierapolis (Pamukkale) and Colossae. These 3 cities were located at the Asia Province of Roman Empire. Laodicea was located 6 miles away from Hierapolis (Pamukkale). The Lycus river was flowing between them. There area where these cities were founded was wealthy and fertile. Also the area became known with wool, textile industry and dying of these garments. Especially Loadicea was known with glossy back sheeps wool. According to some ancient histirians, the chemicals in the water which the sheeps drank made the wool glossy and shining. Laodicea was located in the junction point of the trade roads which made the city rich. Loadicea became the financial headquaters of the area.

Laodicea was also known with a philosophy and a medical school. The medical school of Laodicea was known with ear and eye medications.

As mentioned in the New Testament Col 4: 16), there is a letter sent to Laodicea by Paul which has never been discovered. Laodicea is mentioned as the lukewarm city in the new testament. There was no source of water where the city was founded. The water is supplied to the city from Hierapolis (Pamukkale). Pamukkale was known with the hot thermal springs, by the time the water reached to Laodciea, it was lukewarm. The church of Laodicea is said to be lukewarm like the water. This was the only congregation in the book of revelation where nothing good about it is said. Laodicea was a rich city in financial terms but a very poor city in faith.

The area had a major Jewish population, the jews came to the area in the 2nd century BC from Babylon. They were sent by Antiochus the Great as paid soldiers. These jews became the early christians and introduced trade to the area.

Cicero the famous Roman statesman served as the governor of the area and lived in Laodicea.

To know more about the Biblical History of Laodicea, visit: http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/laodicea.pdf

Laodicea, is 3 hours drive to Kusadasi. Visit to Laodicea can be combined with a visit to Pamukkale (Hierapolis) and Aprodisias. If requested we can organize you a private tour of Laodicea and Pamukkale (Hierapolis) and Aprodisias. We alos offer 3 Days tours of the best preserved biblical sites of western Turkey including Laodicea. Contact us today for your personalised quote.

Laodicea

Private Tours of Laodiea

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4 Days Tour of the Best Preserved Biblical Sites of Western Turkey - Revelation Tour

Smyrna (Izmir) - Pergamon (Bergama) - Laodicea - Hierapolis (Pamukkale) - Ephesus

Private Tours of Loadicea - History of Laodicea

Laodicea is home to one of the seven holy churches mentioned in the book of revelations of the new testament. Only city in Anatolia with four baths and two theaters. Laodicea also boasted the largest ancient stadium (Capacity 25000) in Anatolia.

Private Ephesus Tours

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