The church is located near Habib-Neccar mountain, 2 km from Antakya city centre. The church was built of a natural cave and the exact build date is unknown. St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, came to Antakya in 29-30 AD and gave his first sermon to the congregation in this cave. The Christian name for those who believe in Jesus was first given here again as St. Pierre and it is also known as the first church of Christianity. After the adoption of Christianity as an official religion in the Roman period, arrangements were made in the cave to give the appearance of a church. In 1963, the Vatican declared it a place of the cross for Christians, and every year on June 29, the Catholic Church held a ritual. Only fragments of the floor mosaic and traces of wall paintings have survived from the church to the present day. Museum cardholders can visit the church for free while the entrance is normally paid. Church Visiting Hours: April 15 – October 2, 08:30 to 19:00 October 3 – April 14, from 08:30 to 17:30.
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