Church of St Pierre

Very old and historical church. Located on the hill so you have to walk to the top. The access if very easy. Actually, the inside is just a cave. I think the attractiveness is the rich-history behind this building.

The church is open and unharmed (unlike the city center). But there is a tent camp right in front of the church.

There is not much to see. The visit is worthwhile if you seek a spiritual connection with this unassuming place of great historic importance.

It's closed for renovation works. After the earthquake those works stopped also. I hope the damages are not significant. This is a picture with damages from outside of the museum.

Accepted as the first church of Christians from the time of St Peter. It was a secret cave with a tunnel enlarged by crusades. Holy place both for Muslims and christians.

Absolutely loveöy and it so much history about this place. Its small but close to city. Still worth a visit to touch the history.

A wonderful place to visit, positive energy!

We went here to know, how the believers in that day stood up to what they believe. MasyaAllah, so does today. May Allah grant us easiness in practicing Islam

Very good locaton and well preserved

Peter himself found this little church built into a cave.

Saint Pierre, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, began to spread Christianity in the Antioch region between 29 and 40 AD.
Saint Pierre Church is considered to be the first Christian church in history and the place where the first Christian community gathered.
In 1983, Pope Paul VI declared the church as a place of pilgrimage. Every year on June 29, Catholic Christians hold a service in this church.

Compared to Cappadocia's magnificent carved in stone churches, this fails to shine especially due to the lack of murals and mosaics. That said, is it right to compare these monuments, most definitely not. For those who are interested in ancient Antioch, this is a must see spot. Also provides a good view of the valley and the city.

Takes back in time, worth visiting if you happen to be around in the area. Not worth travelling especially to see it.
Makes you appreciate the suffering our ancestors went through and how worshipers used to run for their lives in fear of prosecution. The whole visit will not be more than 10 minutes though.

Important historical place that everyone should see. If you have the time and strength then I recommend to go up the hill, kind of above the church (from the left side of looking at the hill itself. You can see some of the tunnels and a statue from ancient Greece

A must see pilgrimage piece in Türk lands.

When I was there, the first thing that came to my mind was a quotation from the Bible - Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." That really did look like that. All people from the West should see it and experience the roots of their own culture.

I don’t think entering that Church should be charged! 40 TL to enter is too much. Plus, try to avoid going at the weekends because it is so crowded with tourist groups.

Please know and read about this place before you visit. awareness about what this place is really important before visit, also take a little hike towards the mountain behind it enjoy the city view, think about what kind of History this city had/has

Very simple but obviously a place you have to visit. You park right in front of the church, walk up a ramp, and you’re there. It’s a one room cave, but of course the history is significant.

How do you 'rate' such a holy site? Well, in todays' social media world, a 5 star means. ' make sure to visit' if you are traveling to the area. Saint Pierre Church/Cave is a sacred site, and you feel it as soon as you walk into the cave with a beautiful facade. This is a holy site and a place of pilgrimage for Christians, and all religions, as it is a spiritual experience.

St. Pierre is the founder of the Antakya Church and the archpriest of the first Christian Community here and also the first Pope in the world.

St. Pierre church and its surroundings played a significant role in the period of the early Christianity and expansion of the belief. The church is admitted as the first cathedral of the world and was announced as a place of pilgrimage by the Pope in 1963. Because of the building witnessed the first Christians and their meetings, it bears a unique importance.

Known to be the first *secret* church. Secret, because it was at a time that Christianity was new to the region and this particular site is a beautiful cave with a tunnel that was dug out during the crusades.

One of the greatest experiences one could have-the FIRST ever Catholic/christian church by St Peter, Paul, John, etc. WOW Beautiful in its simplicity, floor mosaics, red wall painting, and the baptism/drinking well--I drank a whole cup feeling blessed by St Peter and all the saints that suffered so much for Christ and humanity. AMAZING I stayed at the catholic church and wondered the old town for several days. My whole experience was wonderful. Not many tourists now because of wars in Syria and there was a State Department warning so I left for ephesus after 4 days. I was there October 20, 2015

GERALD KRETSCH
USA