Hagia Thekla (Ayatekla)
Ayatekla
A pilgrimage site of the early Christian female saint Thecla, with the surviving semicircular apse of a 5th-century cathedral and an underground cave church. It is an important pilgrimage destination.
Thecla is said to have been a follower of the apostle Paul. In her later years she lived in a cave on the outskirts of Silifke, and from the 4th century the site became a pilgrimage center on a par with Jerusalem. In the 5th century Emperor Zeno built a large cathedral here, of which only the tall semicircular apse wall survives. The cave church below can be entered and contains columns and surviving wall paintings. The site is modest in size, a visit takes about 45 minutes, and tickets are required, or the museum pass can be used. It is about 4 km from downtown Silifke.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Silifke Museum
- Silifke Castle
- Frederick Barbarossa Memorial
- Göksu Delta
- Boğsak Bay & Island
- Astım Cave (Wishing Cave)
- Cennet and Cehennem Sinkholes
- Narlıkuyu Mosaic Museum