Konya is the site of ancient Iconium, one of the oldest cities of Anatolia. Paul and Barnabas encountered much opposition in this city (Acts 14:1-6). Konya is best known today as the home of the Whirling Dervishes. We made a brief visit of Konya including the Archaeological Museum. The museum contains three inscribed stone monuments of interest. One mentions Derbe, another one mentions Iconium, and the third one mentions Lystra (photo below). No ruins of Iconium have been excavated. The legendary second century Acts of Paul, telling about a convert by the name of Thecla, takes it setting in Iconium.
We continued west to Yalvac for a visit to the site of Pisidian Antioch. Yalvac is located on a plateau at an elevation of about 3600 feet above sea level. The nearby mound of Pisidian Antioch marks the spot where Paul presented a lesson summarizing the history of the Jewish nation, especially as it related to the Messianic promise (Acts 13:14-41). It was from this city that Paul announced that he would turn to the Gentiles (13:44-52). We also made a short stop at the archaeological museum in Yalvac and then continued through the beautiful mountains and valleys, and past Lake Egridir, to the Pamphylian coast to Antalya (Attalia) for overnight. Here is a photo of the Roman aqueduct that supplied water to the city of Antioch.
Friday we visited Perga, Attalia, and the Archaeological Museum. Check back later to see the photos.
