By Mustafa Unal Uysal</p> <p>ISPARTA, Turkey (AA) – An ancient city, home to a Christian church, in western Turkey has attracted thousands of Christians in 2018, according to a Turkish academic.</p> <p>Mehmet Ozhanli, an archeology professor at Isparta’s Suleyman Demirel University, said 15,000 Christians visited St. Paul Church in Pisidia Antiocheia ancient city in western Isparta province for pilgrimage this year.</p> <p>Ozhanli, who also heads the excavation team, told Anadolu Agency that the excavations in the ancient city are continuing.</p> <p>The construction of the church had started in 4th century A.D. and was completed in 6th century, he said.</p> <p>In 325 A.D., Antiocheia was proclaimed as a center of pilgrimage in the first council of Christendom, Ozhanli added.
“When the excavations are over, here will be a place where pilgrims can come and worship comfortably.” He added: “The Christian community works to reveal the tourism potential of here.”
