Seven Churches of Revelation in Anatolia by Bus – 3 Days

Bus to Kuşadası the night before. Day 1: Travel Ephesos (Efes) and visit the old Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, the most important of the “Seven Churches of Revelation” in Asia Minor. It is here where St. John brought Mary in fulfillment of his pledge to Jesus to protect her. We will also visit the last abode of Virgin Mary at Mount Solmissos where she is believed to have been taken into heaven. After lunch, continue to Laodicea (Denizli) a crossroads of the ancient world. Dinner at hotel and overnight in Pamukkale (Hierapolis).

Day 2: After breakfast we will visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, home of Philip the Evangelist. Then we will proceed to Philadelphia (Alaşehir), the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation where we will visit the still standing remains of an early church and the city walls. We will enjoy a lunch on the way. In the afternoon we will visit to the ruins of the church at Sardis (Salihli) in the ancient Lydian capital which holds an important place in mythology. Evening arrival at Thyatira (Akhisar), one of the most important towns where Christianity was spread from and visit the ruins of the church. In the late evening we will drive to Pergamon to stay the night and enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: After a savory breakfast we will visit Pergamon (Bergama), the place where St. John wrote to the church of Pergamon and said “Satan’ s throne is sited”. Pergamon was a health center where treatments such as therapy with music and water, meditation and blood transfusion were first used. These impressive structures date back to 339 BC. After lunch, we will drive to Smyrna (İzmir) where St. Paul praised the early believers for their faithfulness. Then it is a visit to St. Polycarp Church before a short city tour. Night bus from İzmir to İstanbul.