Lystra
| Lystra | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Coordinates: 37°39′50.83″N 32°12′38.56″E / 37.6641194°N 32.2107111°ECoordinates: 37°39′50.83″N 32°12′38.56″E / 37.6641194°N 32.2107111°E | |
| Country |
 Turkey
|
| Region | Central Anatolia |
| Province | Konya |
| Elevation | 1,400 m (4,600 ft) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC) |
| Postal code | 42XXX |
| Area code(s) | (+90) 332 |
Lystra (Ancient Greek: Λύστρα) was a city in central Anatolia, now part of present-day Turkey. It is mentioned five times in the New Testament. Lystra was visited several times by the Apostle Paul, along with Barnabas or Silas. There Paul met a young disciple, Timothy.
The site of Lystra is believed to be located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of the city of Konya (Iconium in the New Testament), north of the village of Hatunsaray and some 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of a small town called Akoren. A small museum within the village of Hatunsaray displays artifacts from ancient Lystra.
Lystra is the ancient name of the village visited by the Apostle Paul. There is a present-day village called "Klistra" near Gökyurt, a village of the Meram district of Konya province. Ancient ruins can be seen near Klistra, including a church with a big cross marked on the wall, a winery, house-like buildings, and the ruins of a city located over the top of a hill which is locally called "Alusumas", where another ruined church ruin can be seen. According to local people, the less-visible city was constructed over the hill to hide from enemies of ancient Anatolia. This site is still awaiting excavation.
Lystra is located on the ancient Persian Royal Road.
The Roman Empire made Lystra a colony in 6 BC, possibly to gain better control of the tribes in the mountains to the west. Later, it was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia
Saint Paul visited here to preach the Christian gospel in 48 AD and again in 51 AD on his first and second missionary journeys, initially coming after persecution drove him away from Iconium.
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Wikipedia