Lystra and Derbe, Turkey
“When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them (Paul and Barnabus) they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. “ Acts 14:5-7
Lystra and Derby, when we visited in 2021, were largely unexcavated. Lystra is a beautiful green tell in the middle of an almond grove and agricultural fields. There are some obvious cut stones poking out of the grounds and the usual pottery sherds everywhere. Derbe felt as though it was out in the middle of now where and required stopping to ask directions a few times. As you can see from the pictures, there has been some excavation at this mound. Something about the unexcavated places of the Bible are just as exciting to visit as the polished tourists sites - even more left to the imagination!
Visiting Derbe and Lystra, Turkey
