The city of Antakya | Hatay, Turkey

Postcard

Antakya is a city in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. It was known as Antioch in ancient times. The city has historical significance for Christianity, as it was the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were called Christians for the first time.

As a symbol of religious tolerance, Antakya's Catholic church is next door the Sermaye mosque (as can be seen in the back).

 

After the first World War, Antakya was part of the French protectorate of Syria until 1939 when it became independent as the Republic of Hatay. After a short period Hatay joined the Republic of Turkey on 23 July 1939.

Stamp

2013 The 500th Anniversary of the Piri Reis World Map. 

Piri Reis (1470 – 1553) was an Ottoman admiral, geographer and cartographer who compiled a map of the world in 1513.