Hatay City Guide

Hatay City Guide

Hatay is located in the cradle of civilizations. The historical relics discovered in the city date back to 100.000 BC. The contemporary history of the city has a span of 5000 years. In chronological order; Akkadians, the Kingdom of Yamhad, Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Urartians, Turkmen, Persians, Romans, Seljuks, and Ottomans ruled over the city. The rich history of Hatay, once the third largest city in the world, can be seen in the mosques, churches, and the magnificent mozaic museum of the city.

According to the Ankara Agreement signed following the Turkish War of Independence, the Sanjak of Iskenderun was left outside the borders of Turkey. However, with France recognizing Syria as an independent state, Ataturk named the sanjak “Hatay”. Following the long battle of Ataturk on international grounds, Hatay was recognized as a part of Turkish borders in 1938.

The eastern border town of the Mediterranean, Hatay is located on the starting point of Southeastern Taurus Mountains and it hosts the Amanos (Nur) Mountains. The Asi River and the streams Karasu and Afrin flow within the city limits.

Tourist Attractions

Hatay Archaelogical Museum: This museum houses one of the largest mosaic collections in the world. The most important characteristic of the museum building is its plan which was done according to the specific artifacts from excavations. Its construction was completed in 1939. In the excavations conducted by the most important universities and museums of the world, especially Byzantian-Roman mosaics that date back to the 2nd and 5th centuries were discovered.

Ruins of Isos (Epiphania): The region which was fought over by the Persian King Darius III and Macedonian King Alexander the Great in 333 BC, was built in the Helenistic era and had continued its existence during the Roman era. The ancient ruins and aqueducts of the city can be seen today.

The Walls of Antakya: The city walls of Antakya were built by the order of the emperor Justinian in 526 AD. In ancient times, Antakya was surrounded by high walls. At the times of Seleucus and Rome, there were 360 watch towers on then longer and higher walls and an inner fortress on top of one of the highest hills of the Habib-i Neccar Mountain. Only some parts of the walls that oversee the Hacıkürüş Stream has reached our time.

Habib-i Neccar Mosque: The first mosque of Anatolia, Habib-i Neccar, was built in Antakya and it is the point from where Islam has begun to spread throughout Anatolia. The mosque was built by Ebu Ubeyde Bin Cerrah, a commander of Omar the Great, in 636 AD.

Payas Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Kulliyesi: It is located in the Payas region of the Dortyol district. Payas Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Kulliyesi, built by Mimar Sinan in 1574, is one of the fine examples of Ottoman architecture. Within the kulliye, 45 caravanserai with shops, a soup kitchen, double Turkish bath, a mosque and a madrasah are located.

St. Simeon’s Monastery: St. Simeon’s Monastery sits on a hill, that is 479 meters high, in the borders of the Aknehir region, The octagonal courtyard of the monastery, which was built in 6th century AD, contains a column made of a natural rock located in the middle. St. Simeon arrived in the monastery in 541 AD and died in 592.

Harbiye(Daphne): It is located 10 kilometers away from Antakya. The streams born from the valley, after forming waterfalls, join the Asi River. The region known as Harbiye was called Kastalia, Palas, and Saramanna in the ancient times. Daphe, which was a popular holiday resort in the Helenistic and Roman ages, was famous with its mansions, temples, and entertainment places built by the wealthy part of the society.

The Ruins of Seleucia Pieria (Çevlik): The ruins are located in the Samandag district. Seleucia Pieria was a town that was built in 305 BC to be made the capital of Seleucis. The remainders of the city which had its bright times in the Roman age are the Titus-Vespasianus Tunnel, Dor Temple, and the Necropolis.

Titus-Vespasianus Tunnel and the Necropolis: It consists of a tunnel and channel, the construction of which started in 69 AD during the time of Vespasianus and finished during the time of his son, Titus. The channel is 1330 meters in length, 7 meters in height, and 6 meters in width. The Sarcophagi area consists of 13 tombs, among which the “Cradle Cave” is the widest and the most famous.

Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque): Located near the Ata Bridge in Antakya, Ulu Camii is believed to be a remainder from the period of the Mamluk Sultanate. From the tablets, it is understood that the mosque and its minaret were repaired various times.

The Quarters of Bayazid Bastami: It is located in the Darbısak Castle and in front of the Alaybeyli village, in the north side of Kırıkhan. This castle was one of the most important castles of the Principality of Antioch.

Culture & Entertainment

Hatay has a very rich cultural heritage, being the home to various civilizations throughout history. People from different religions and faiths living together while the mosque, church and the synagogue coexisted in Hatay for centuries, has given Hatay not only a cultural richness but also a great sense of tolerance. This richness and tolerance is reflected in the social life, art, media events, customs and traditions of the area.

Museums and historical and religious relics are the center of the city’s culture. Also, the Mayıs Erzin Kültür ve Turizm Festivali (May 22-29), İskenderin Uluslararası Turizm ve Kültür Festivali (July 1-5), and Antakya Kültür-Turizm ve Sanat Festivali (July 19-23) are cultural events that are organized in the region.

Harbiye is the most frequented picnic and entertainment area by the public, especially during spring and summer months. This area is also famous with its restaurants with capacities of 300 to 500 people.

Food & Drink

Hatay is famous for not only its history but also its cuisine. The deep history of the city and the combination of cultures has created a very rich cuisine. Kağıt kebabı, oruk, dövme (aşşur), semirsek, tepsi kebabı, humus (hummus), zahter salatası (zahter salad), künefe, peynirli irmik helvası, kabak tatlısı, cevizli biber, küflü çökelek salatası, turplu tarator, patlıcanlı yoğurtlama, sarmaiçi, yumurta öccesi are dishes that come to mind when the name Hatay is mentioned. A main dish, Arap Kebabı (Arab Kabob), is served with çiğ köfte. The dish Tuzlu Yoğurt (Salty Yoghurt) is commonly consumed in Hatay. Künefe and kadayıf come to mind for desserts. Ağızlı kadayıf, Burma künefe, and Kaymaklı Künefe are very famous. The Harbiye region is the place for trying these dishes, with its large restaurants surrounded by nature and by the water

Shopping

Handcrafted artwork reflects the rich culture of Hatay, unique pieces can be found in coppersmith workshops. Daphne soap, genuine silk, pepper paste, and pomegranate syrup are some of the traditional products of this region. The beauty and quality of silk craft is also worth mentioning.