Tour Itinerary
Seven Churches of Asia Minor, as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation – Journey the route around the West Aegean and learn of the religious and social context of ancient biblical times.
As well as visiting all major religious sites, the tour also includes those of cultural and tourist significance.
From Istanbul to Izmir by round-trip flight, explore the 7 churches at ancient Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia (Lydia), and Laodicea (Phrygia)…
Day 1: Izmir Arrival
You will be picked up at the Izmir
airport and driven directly to your hotel where dinner will be served.
Day 2: Pergamon, Thyatira,
and Izmir
After breakfast, drive
to Pergamum, now known as Bergama, mentioned in the New Testament as one of the
7 Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Visit the Acropolis of Pergamum, an
amphitheater perched dramatically atop a steep hill. Stop at the Asklepion, a
famous medical center during the classical era. See the Altar of Zeus, which
John the Apostle referred to as the “Throne of Satan.” Walk among the marble
columns of the Temple of Trajan, which once housed a library of 200,000 texts,
rivaling the Library of Alexandria. Admire the immense walls of the Red
Basilica (St.John’s Church).
Continue to Thyatira, now called Akhisar,
another of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. Known
in ancient times for its purple dyes, Thyatira is also the city where St. Lydia
once lived. As you make your way through the city, you’ll have the chance to
see ruins from Roman times.
Enjoy a panoramic ride through Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one
of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. Ascend Mount Pagus
and visit the Citadel of Lysimachos, commander of Alexander the Great. See the
famous Izmir Clock. Return to the hotel for dinner and some rest.
Day 3: Izmir, Sardis,
Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Hierapolis
Depart early in the morning to reach one of the most
picturesque of the Seven Churches of Asia, Sardis [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4]. Sardis,
now known as Sart
was portrayed in the Book of Revelations as a dying church. Visit the Temple of
Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became churches under the Byzantine
empire. See the restored gymnasium and the reconstructed Synagogue. Walk the
last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by
Cyrus the Great. Lay your eyes on the "Golden" river Pactolus. Enjoy
lunch en route.
Your journey continues once you reach Philadelphia, now known as Alasehir,
another of the Churches of Asia, and the only church not censured. Unlike the
other 6 churches, they remained steadfast in their faith.Visit the remains of a
Byzantine basilica that features11thcentury frescoes.
Drive to Hierapolis, a city known for
its therapeutic springs. See the Pamukkale, or “Cotton Fortress,” where hot
mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming
pools, channels, and stalactites. Visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip
where he was martyred during persecutions ordered by Domitian.
Journey on to Laodicea (now called Denizli), another of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11;
3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13-16]. See the ancient theatre, the remains of a basilica
and ancient stone water pipes. Visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, a
2nd-century theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium
and the Necropolis. After a full day of site-seeing, check in at a Thermal
hotel and enjoy dinner before having a good night’s rest.
Day 4: Ephesus
Drive to Kusadasi and visit the ancient city of
Ephesus. See the Basilica of St. John, which received an epistle from the
apostle Paul who lived in Ephesus for 3 years. Tour the spectacular ruins where
excavations still continue in this once great and important city founded over 2
millennia ago. Take a trip back in time as your walk along the marble streets
lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the
Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. See the Temple of
Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Visit the House of the Virgin
Mary, a house said to have been the Virgin Mary’s home in her final years.
Afterward, enjoy dinner at your hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 5: Izmir
Your tour comes to a close, as you are picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and then transferred to the Izmir airport.
