Aziz Paul Yolu

Le lieu

footpath from Perge to Yalvaç, Turkey

L’intérêt

Antioch Mosaic Museum (Antakya). Sagalassos (remarkably preserved Pisidian city at 1 700 m). Pisidian Antioch (Yalvaç). Eğirdir Lake. Ephesus (Selçuk) — UNESCO World Heritage site. The House of the Virgin Mary.

Un peu d'histoire

Mapped by Kate Clow (creator of the Lycian Way) and Terry Richardson, published in 2004. The trail retraces elements of Paul's First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys (Acts 13–21, c. 46–57 AD) through what was then Asia Minor. The ruins along the route (Perge, Aspendos, Sagalassos) represent some of the finest Roman archaeological sites in Turkey.

Y arriver

Antakya: bus from Adana (3h) or Gaziantep (3h). Selçuk: train from İzmir (1h15). Both cities have airports nearby.

Matériel recommandé

Hiking boots. Water (critical — many sections dry). Sun protection (essential). Tent or sleeping bag for remote sections. Snakebite awareness.

La saison

March to May and October to November. June–September too hot on southern sections.