Landmark · Antakya

St. Peter's Cave Church

Antakya's St. Peter's grotto was Christianity's first church, carved into stone where Apostle Peter preached. Medieval monks fermented wine in these caves during centuries of Syrian viticulture.

What to do there

TourSt. Peter's Cave ChurchOne of Christianity's oldest churches, carved into a mountainside in Roman times. St. Peter founded the church of Antioch here. Early Christians celebrated communion with wine in this cave, continuing Roman wine rituals in a new context.

Places to see nearby

Museum Antioch (Antakya) Archaeological Museum The world's largest mosaic museum houses a haunting 3rd-century skeleton mosaic clutching wine amphora—wine's eternal place at death's table.