Do you want to visit the original Philadelphia? The one that is hosting one of the seven churches of revelation in Asia Minor. If your answer is yes, all you need to do is to plan your trip and join the adventure.
Philadelphia, also known as Alasehir nowadays, is an ancient city within the borders of Manisa, Turkey.
Following the directions of the Bible and Apostle John’s letters, you can discover the ancient city ruins and remains and learn about early Christianity in Asia Minor.
During the Roman period, Philadelphia was an important center of Early Christianity. It’s the recipient of one of the letters in the Book of Revelation, where it’s praised for its steadfastness in faith.
In the 14th century, the city was taken over by the Turks, and its name was eventually changed to Alasehir. Despite the name change, the ancient city of Philadelphia is still well remembered and its history attracts a lot of interest, particularly from Christian pilgrims.
The remains of ancient Philadelphia are scattered around Alasehir. While not as well-preserved or extensive as some other sites in Turkey, you can still find ruins of a Byzantine-era basilica and some old city walls. The area is also known for its hot springs, which have been used for their therapeutic properties since ancient times.
Today, Alasehir is a quiet town known for its vineyards and production of wines and raisins. While the city doesn’t have much in terms of tourist facilities, its unique history and pleasant countryside make it a nice off-the-beaten-path destination for history and nature lovers.