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Church of St. Peter
June 29th, a special service is conducted and picnic area - a virtual paradise thick essential oils of this tree are used in
at the Church of St. Peter that is with greenery and blessed with making the famous laurel soap (defne
attended by Christians and clergymen abundant water. According to legend, sabunu), which is completely natural
from all over the world. this is the spot where Apollo caught and is highly recommended for
sight of Daphne, a beautiful nymph, and healthfulness.
Besides this early church, Antakya is fell in love with her. When he tried to
also home to a Catholic Church and a approach her however, she fled and Another ancient city in Hatay is
Greek Orthodox Church as well as a Apollo began to pursue her. Realizing Alexandretta (İskenderun). The
Museum of Archaeology (also known as that there was no escape, she prayed to foundations of this city were laid in 333
the Mosaic Museum), which has the the Mother Earth, begging for her BC, after the victory of Alexander the
second richest collection of ancient protection and she was transformed Great, King of Macedonians, over the
mosaics in the world. Also to be found in into a laurel tree just as Apollo reached Persian King Darius III at Issos. It is a
Antakya are a number of historically her. Ever after, a crown of laurel leaves modern district, spreading out along the
important examples of architecture was used to award excellence in poetry narrow shore of a gulf with the same
from the Ottoman Period, such as the and military prowess. Daphne’s tears are name and resting against the foothills of
Mosque of Habib-ün Neccar. said to be still flowing over the the Amanos Mountains, which rise like a
waterfalls of Harbiye. The Turkish word wall immediately behind it. This tourism
Harbiye (Daphne), located 7 kilometres for laurel is defne, whose origin of centre, verdant and warm year round, is
from Antakya, is a popular excursion course is the nymph’s name. The also a bustling commercial port.
12 Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia
