Antakya is a district in present-day Hatay province in southern Türkiye. Because it was a settlement on the historic Mesopotamian trade route, its significance from the past has continued into the present day.
Antakya, now the central district of Hatay, was founded in the 4th century BC by Seleucus, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great.
The city was given life under the name "Antioch," named after Seleucus's father, and over the years the name evolved into "Antakya."
The Hellenistic period began with the conquests of Alexander the Great. It followed the Classical Greek era and marked the height of Greek influence in the ancient world. After the Hellenistic period, the region under Greek dominance later came under the control of the Roman Republic.
Due to its geopolitical importance in antiquity, the district stood out in history as the capital of the geographic region of Northern Syria.
Antakya was established between Mount Habib-i Neccar (Silpius) and the Asi (Orontes) River, according to the Hippodamian grid plan.
Who was Hippodamos?
Hippodamos of Miletus is believed to have been an urban planner who lived in Ancient Greece in the 5th century BC.
He organized the city's rectangular street system, a design known in urban planning as the grid plan.
Because it lay on the Silk Road and served as a center for the three Abrahamic religions, Antakya was visited by travelers from many countries. One of them was Daramon, who came to the region in the 16th century.
Traveler Daramon's impressions of Antakya:
"Most of its houses are arranged like a village scattered here and there, and many places are empty and barren. There are Turks, Armenians, and very few Jews. The most worth-seeing thing in this city is its walls, which appear to have once been extremely beautiful, magnificently built, and almost entirely made of marble. The city's location is sloped and enclosed by these walls. On the summit of one of the four large high hills stands a castle."
According to historical sources, there was once a street cutting through Antakya from one end to the other. This road, which eased transportation within the city, extended deep into the urban center. The traveler Della Valle said that this street was paved with marble.
It is believed to have run parallel to Kurtuluş Street, as city plans reveal a strong alignment between the two.
Located on the Orontes (Asi) River at the easternmost edge of the Mediterranean, Antakya became a center of trade and entertainment because of its position on the Silk Road.
A place of major importance in Antakya's history from past to present, Herod Street, now known as Kurtuluş Street, is notable for being regarded as the first street in the world to be illuminated at night with torches.
Over the course of history, Antakya has been a district that captivated both domestic and foreign visitors with its streets and urban texture. Historic buildings in the area were used not only as homes, but were also converted into guesthouses and cafés.
In central Antakya, there are 200- to 250-year-old houses made of stone and wood. Having hosted numerous civilizations, the district draws attention with its narrow streets and distinctive architecture.
Thanks to its geographical location, river valleys, and natural passes, Hatay has throughout history connected the Middle East to Anatolia and the Mediterranean, becoming a crossroads for trade and cultural activity.
The region underwent Islamization in 638. After that date, many structures reflecting the city's Islamic identity were built, and the names of historic streets and roads were also changed.
