Between Pergamum in the north and Laodicea in the south, three of the seven churches of Revelation lie along one road through the fertile valleys of ancient Lydia: Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia. They are less famous than Ephesus, but a route that skips them leaves the letters incomplete. With good planning, a group sees all three in one day.

Thyatira (Akhisar)

The letter to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18 to 29) is the longest of the seven, addressed to a church praised for its love and service but warned about "that woman Jezebel". Thyatira was a town of trade guilds, among them dyers; Lydia, "a seller of purple goods" who met Paul in Philippi, came from here (Acts 16:14). Today the remains, a section of colonnaded street and the walls of a large building, lie in a fenced park in the centre of Akhisar. The visit is short, but it is the right place to read the letter.

Sardis (Sart)

Sardis was the capital of the Lydian kingdom of Croesus, where the first coins are said to have been struck. The letter (Revelation 3:1 to 6) tells the church "you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" and warns "I will come like a thief"; the city's acropolis was famously taken by surprise twice in its history. Sardis is the richest of the three sites:

  • The Temple of Artemis: one of the largest Ionic temples, with two standing columns and a small Byzantine church built against its corner.

  • The gymnasium and bath complex: its restored marble court is one of the most photographed ruins in the region.

  • The synagogue: next to the gymnasium, one of the largest ancient synagogues ever found, with mosaic floors and inscriptions.

Philadelphia (Alaşehir)

The church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7 to 13) receives no reproach, only the promise of "an open door, which no one is able to shut". The city suffered heavily from earthquakes in Roman times. In the centre of Alaşehir stand the massive brick pillars of a Byzantine basilica dedicated to St John, the main monument to visit.

One day on the road

The usual order is Akhisar, Sardis and Alaşehir, driving roughly 100 kilometres in total between the three, and continuing to Pamukkale or Denizli for the night, ready for Laodicea the next morning. Plan about 45 minutes at Thyatira, two hours at Sardis and an hour at Philadelphia, with lunch near Sardis. On a full Seven Churches route this day usually follows Pergamum.

Practical points

  • Season: spring and autumn. The Lydian valley is very hot in July and August, and Sardis has little shade.

  • Expectations: Thyatira and Philadelphia are small town-centre sites; a guide who brings the letters to life makes the difference.

  • Readings: we plan a short quiet moment at each site for the relevant letter.

Planning with KAMPA

Since 1996 we have run faith and cultural groups across Türkiye for churches and for the tour operators who serve them. We arrange the coach, the guide, entries, meals and hotels, and adapt the pace to your group. See our faith and cultural groups page or send your dates through the form below.