Category

Early Church & Apostolic Sites

The first congregations and where they met.

Early church and apostolic sites trace the first Christians and the journeys of the apostles. Ephesus, the catacombs of Rome, Antioch and the island of Patmos where Revelation was written are the key places connected to Paul, Peter and John — each with the New Testament passages that name them, archaeological context and travel details for visiting early Christian ruins today.

11 destinations

5/5 Significance

Capernaum, Israel

Capernaum

The small fishing village Jesus used as his home base. You can still see the synagogue and a house believed to be Peter's.

5/5 · Scripturally central

5/5 Significance

Selçuk, Turkey

Ephesus

Paul lived here for three years, and his preaching once caused a riot. The ruins are some of the best kept in the world.

5/5 · Scripturally central

5/5 Significance

Chora, Greece

Patmos

The Greek island where John was sent away as a prisoner and wrote the book of Revelation. His cave is still there.

5/5 · Scripturally central

5/5 Significance

Antakya, Turkey

Antioch (Antakya)

The city where followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and where Paul started his mission trips.

5/5 · Scripturally central

4/5 Significance

Vatican City, Vatican City

St Peter's Basilica

The biggest church ever built, with Michelangelo's dome over the tomb of Peter the fisherman.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

Catacombs of San Callisto

Long underground tunnels where about half a million early Christians were buried, including nine popes.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

Rome

The city where Peter and Paul were killed, and the city that later spread their faith around the world.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Caesarea, Israel

Caesarea Maritima

A harbour city built by King Herod. Here Peter baptised a Roman officer, and Paul was kept in prison before sailing to Rome.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Damascus, Syria

Straight Street, Damascus

The old main street where Ananias found Saul after he went blind. Saul then became the apostle Paul.

4/5 · Major biblical site

3/5 Significance

Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia

For 900 years the biggest church in the world. It became a mosque, then a museum, and is a mosque again today.

3/5 · Well attested

2/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

The Colosseum

The huge Roman arena. We are not sure Christians died here, but Rome did kill many Christians for their faith.

2/5 · Historically linked