City of Antakya today Antakya

the market place in central antakya



courtyard of church of apostles peter , paul in antakya

mount habib-i neccar (habib an-najar in sura al yassin 36:13 ) , city walls climb hillsides symbolise antakya, making city formidable fortress built on series of hills running north-east south-west. antakya centred on east bank of river. since 19th century, city has expanded new neighbourhoods built on plains across river south-west, , 4 bridges connect old , new cities. many of buildings of last 2 decades styled concrete blocks, , antakya has lost of classic beauty. narrow streets of old city can become clogged traffic.

although port city iskenderun has become largest city in hatay, antakya provincial capital still of considerable importance centre of large district. draining of lake amik , development of land has caused region s economy grow in wealth , productivity. town lively shopping , business centre many restaurants, cinemas , other amenities. district centred on large park opposite governor s building , central avenue kurtuluş caddesı. tea gardens, cafes , restaurants in neighbourhood of harbiye popular destinations, particularly variety of meze in restaurants. orontes river can malodorous when water low in summer. rather formal nightlife, in summer heat, people stay outside until late in night walk families , friends, , munch on snacks.

its location near syrian border makes antakya more cosmopolitan many cities in turkey. did not attract mass immigration of people eastern anatolia in 1980s , 1990s radically swelled populations of mediterranean cities such adana , mersin. both turkish , arabic still spoken in antakya, although written arabic used. mixed community of faiths , denominations co-exist peacefully here. although inhabitants muslim, substantial proportion adhere alevi , arab alawi traditions, in harbiye there place honour alawite saint hızır. numerous tombs of saints, of both sunni , alawite, located throughout city. several small christian communities active in city, largest church being st. peter , st. paul on hurriyet caddesi. long history of spiritual , religious movements, antakya place of pilgrimage christians. city home functioning synagogue serving jewish community of antakya. has reputation in turkey place spells, fortune telling, miracles , spirits.

local crafts include soap scented oil of bay tree.