centers, ancient cities and beautiful plateaus, the province of Hatay has a high potential for tourism.
SITES OF INTEREST: Soğukoluk and Yayladağı forest recreation areas Arsuz beaches, Alalah (Tel Açana), Tel Tayinat, Çatalhöyük (Kanula), Harbiye (Dophne), İssos, El-Mina, Arsuz (Rhossos or Rosus), Seleukeia Pieria settlements and city, Antakya (Antiokheia) city walls, Traianus Sukemeri, Heronion, Koz (Kürşat), Payas, Bakras, Sarıseki, Şalen and Darb-ı Sak (Bayezıd-i Bistami) castles, St. Petrus Grotto, Cin (genie) Tower, Girls' Palace (Kasr El-Benet), Sokullu Mehmed Pasha complex, Habib Neccar Mosque, Sokullu complex, Hatay Archeology Museum.
MUSEUM: Hatay Museum Address: Gündüz Cad. No:1 Hatay
Tel: (326) 214 61 68 Fax: (326) 213 33 86
HISTORICAL SITES AND RUINS: St. Pierre Church - Antakya /Kuruyer
Aççana Ruins - Reyhanlı (Merruş) / Varışlı K.
Çevlik Ruins - Samandağ /Kapısuyu Village
Mosques and Churches : Ulu Mosque (sultan Selim Mosque, Center)
Habibi Neccar Mosque (center)
Magnificent Suleyman mosque (belen Mosque, Belen)
Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Kulliye (payas)
St. Pierre Church( center)
St. Simon Monastery (samandağ)
Ancient Cities : Harbiye (Daphne), Tel Aççana, Kinet Tumulus, Necropolis, Ceylanlı,
İmma, Tainat, Çevlik, Dor Temple, Water Channels
Ramparts : Antakya was surrounded by high ramparts at the Seleukus and Roman periods. There was 360 guard towers throughout the ramparts and there was a inner castle on the highest and steepest hill of the Habib Neccar Mountain.
Bridges : Demirköprü, Dana Ahmetli Bridge
Castles : Koz Castle (Kürşat Castle), Bakras Castle, Payas Castle,
Mancınık (Catapult) Castle, Cin (Genie) Tower, Darbı - Sak Castle
Inns - Baths : There are numerous inns and baths inside Antakya district most of which were constructed by charitable establishments in the last century. The still operational inns and baths had carried the cultural properties and the architecture of the past into the present day. The still operational baths and inns are Cindy Bath, Sakae Bath, Meiden Bath, Yen Bath, Kurşunlu Inn and Sokullu Inn.
Highlands : Belen - Güzelyayla (soğukoluk), İskenderun-nergizlik Highland
Samandağ - Teknepinari (batiayaz) Highland,
Erzin - Kocadüz - Üçkoz - Bağriaçik - Karincali Highlands
Dörtyol Topaktaş Highland, Dörtyol- Çökek Highland
Kirikhan Delibekirli Village And Çataloluk Highland
Kirikhan - Alan Highland, Belen And Atik Highland
National & Natural Parks : Habibi Neccar Mountain Nature Protection Area
Tekkoz Kengerlidüz Nature Protection Area
Thermal Springs : Reyhanlı Hamamat Thermal Springs, Reyhanlı Bath,
Kisecik Village Curative Water
Caves : Sarıseki Caves
SIGNIFICANT DAYS:
Local Days of Celebration: Saint Pierre Rites Antakya St. Pierre Church (For Catholics) 29 June
Commomeration Day for Çanakkale Martyrs Antakya 18 March
Commemoration Day for Mehmet Akif Ersoy Antakya 27 December
Commemoration Day for Yunus Emre Antakya 5 April
Commemoration Day for Mevlana Antakya 17 December
29 October Holiday of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) Antakya 28-29 October
Freedom from Occupation Days: Freedom Day - Erzin (Yeşilkent) 8 Ocak
Freedom Day - Dörtyol Dörtyol 9 Ocak
Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at İskenderun İskenderun 5 July
Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at Kırıkhan Kırıkhan 6 July
Arrival of the Turkish Soldiers at Reyhanlı Reyhanlı 8 July
Freedom Day - Hatay Antakya 23 July
Freedom Day - Hassa Hassa 15 November
Festivals: Antakya International Tourism, Culture and Art Festival Antakya 21-23 July
International İskenderun Culture Festival İskenderun 5-9 July
Kırıkhan Municipality Melon Festival Kırıkhan 15-16 July
Hıdrellez Culture Festivities Antakya 5 May
Significant Weeks: Commemoration Week for Atatürk Antakya 10 November