Today Lystra in Turkey is just a small mound north of Hatunsaray. I want to show you 1. How we know this is the site of Lystra, 2. How to get there, 3. It’s significance to the Bible and 3. Afew cool things you can find there.
Lystra was not the highest on our list of places to visit. After all it has never been excavated. But we didn’t let this hold us back since we had just visited Derbe and it has historical significance to the Bible. Besides, it is only a half an hour drive from where we live in Konya.
How do we know this was Lystra?
This visit to the site was inspired by a visit to the Konya Archaological Museum. In that museum are several roman inscriptions identifying Lystra. One of them unquestionably identifies the mound. Farmers around the mound continually dig up coins, inscriptions and various fragments identifying Lystra. Here is one of them:
The translation of the inscription above reads as follows:
“The colony of Julia Felix Gemina Lystra consecrated (this statue of) the Deified Augustus. By decree of the decurions.”
Mark Wilson, Biblical Turkey
Historical events of the Bible in Lystra
47 CE – Acts 14:1, 5-23: Paul stops in Lystra on his first missionary journey after fleeing an attempt to have him from being stoned in Iconium. Paul heals a man lame from birth and the inhabitants conclude Paul and Barnabas are the gods Hermes and Zeus. Jews from Iconium and Pisidian Antioch arrive, stone him, and drag his body outside the city. Paul then departs for Derbe. Paul returns to Lystra to strengthen the newly formed group of Christians and made appointments of elders.
49 CE – Acts 16:1-3: Paul returns to Lystra on his second missionary journey and meets Timothy. Paul chooses him as a travelling companion.
52 CE – Acts 18:23: Paul likely visits Lystra again. Though it is not mentioned in the verse, Lystra is in the country of Galatia and so was likely included.
Beliefs of Lystra
Archaeological discoveries reveal that the city was particularly devoted to Zeus and Hermes. The Roman author Ovid wrote about how these gods took on human form and went to the city seeking hospitality. They were only received by one elderly couple. Hence Zeus and Hermes brought a flood on the region.
This belief underscores why the city was so bent on identifying Paul and Barnabas as Hermes. It explains their anxiousness in offering sacrifices and appeasing them when they saw miracles. For with holding such could result in another catastrophe for the city.
How to get there
The site is accessible by means of country roads adjacent to farm territory. The exact location is here. This is NOT Kilistra. Kilistra is an entirely different site and is wrongly identified on Wikipedia as Lystra. Kilistra is located about 10 miles to the west.
When driving to Lystra, we found that the best entrance was at this spot since the other roads are more for farmers. There is no space to turn around on these roads, but you will find one here, as well as a place to park your vehicle and ascend the mountain (5 minute walk)
Lystra’s location in relation to other cities of Christianity
Just to put this into perspective, here is the distance to other cities of Christianity in the first century. This table takes into account that a days journey was up to 25 miles walking.
Lystra to:
- Derbe: 78 miles (127 kilometers) – 3 day journey
- Colossae: 244 miles (393 kilometers) – 10 day journey
- Pergamum: 400 miles (644 kilometers) – 12 day journey
- Thyatira: 347 miles (559 kilometers) – 14 day journey
- Sardis: 316 miles (509 kilometers) – 13 day journey
- Philadelphia: 289 miles (466 kilometers) – 11 day journey
- Laodicea: 251 miles (404 kilometers) – 10 day journey
- Ephesus: 367 miles (590 kilometers) – 15 day journey
- Smyrna: 368 miles (592 kilometers) 15 day journey
The mound of Lystra today
What we saw was not much, but there is evidence of much underneath the mound. Little fragments of pottery and stone all over the place revealed there is a treasure underneath.
Then we looked at the soil that the farmers beside the mound were tilling up. There were pottery shards and cut stone blocks everywhere. Wow! Time for a treasure hunt!
While on top of the mound it was not difficult to see that there was a city underneath. Hewn stones and bricks are sticking out of the ground.
We had our usual fun and walked on top of the mound and around it to see if we could find anything. The site was full of pottery and hewn rocks. Here are some of the smaller pieces that we found.
Of course we didn’t take anything. We left it where it was. But I would love to walk around with a metal detector or one day. Or even dig around the top looking for the “well of the souls”. I guess that’s the Indiana Jones coming out in me – lol.
Other helpful things when visiting the site
If you are planning a visit, there are some things worth mentioning. First, there is a public washroom nearby. Remember, this is not a developed site and a washroom might be necessary. It is located right here. But I warn you – it’s nasty.
We asked one of the locals that was coming to fill up his water jugs. He said the water is not only drinkable, but delicious.
Lystra and Kilistra are only about a 15 minute drive apart and one visit should complement the other. I hope this helps you on a future trip of your own to find it’s location and know what to expect. Enjoy!
Comments
Post a Comment