We didn’t have much time in Pergamus but here is an ancient
temple to the Egyptian gods which was built right over the river. Its tunnels and some of its underground
passageways are still viable today.
A common sight in Turkey – hand-woven carpets.
At what was then the world’s most famous health center, the Asclepieum,
patients were forbidden to die (it was illegal). Various hydrotherapy treatments were
employed. 
This is another temple built originally to the goddess
Artemis, but perhaps later used for the worship of Zeus. It was built around
300 B.C.
One of the richest cities in the Roman period, Laodicea refused the
emperor’s assistance after it was devastated by an earthquake in the first
century. An archeological excavation is currently underway and the glorious
main street of town is being uncovered!
Laodicea
was equipped with a “modern” water supply system that fed running water to the
homes and temples. Here is the ruins of
one of the two cisterns, with the clay conduits still visible.
The theatre in Laodicea
was large enough to seat more than 16,000 spectators. In this picture my family is standing or
seated on the opposite side of the theater. In the background, across the valley, can be
seen the white deposits from the hot springs of Hierapolis (Colossians
4:13).
Here’s a closer shot so you can see my dad (and the size of
the theater).
Across the valley from Laodicea
was Hierapolis, a resort community where many
came to enjoy the water from the hot springs
coming from the ground. This water was
believed to have healing properties. But
by the time the water would reach Laodicea it would be neither hot enough for
bathing nor cold enough for drinking – good for very little but being spewed
from the mouth.
The theater of Laodicea as seen from Hierapolis.
One of the most eastern of the Greek
Islands, Patmos
was the exile-home of John the Beloved, and where he wrote the Book of Revelation. From Kusadasi (the modern day harbor city
nearest ancient Ephesus) we took a boat to Patmos, traveling much the same route on which John
undoubtedly was taken.
Here we are, early in the morning, on the ferry.
My parents as the sun began to rise.
Pulling into the harbor
of Skala, Patmos.
The cave where John supposedly received and recorded his
Revelation.
The view from nearby the cave.
Our boat in the harbor (circled).
The monastery at the top of the mountain on Patmos.
One of my favorite pictures from Patmos.
This is the harbor (present day Kavala) where Paul landed on his way to Philippi (Acts 16:11). This is a Byzantine fortress
overlooking the modern-day harbor.
The view of the beach by night (from my room!).
The site of the ancient Roman Agora with Basilica B (5th
Century) in the background. 
A baptistery in one of the ruins.
Roman latrines (public toilets) of Philippi.
A church was built on the site (purportedly) of the prison
where Paul and Silas were kept.
The river (Acts 16:13) where Paul and Silas met Lydia and the
other women on the Sabbath day. While
the precise spot is unknown, this is obviously the river and more than likely
within a few hundred yards or less of the site where these outdoor church
services were held, and where Lydia and later the Philippian jailor were
baptized.
A small chapel sits nearby, with these stained glass windows
of Paul and Lydia.
After the beating, the night in the prison of Philippi, the earthquake caused by an angel’s footsteps,
and being released by the Philippian authorities, Paul and Silas made their way
to Thessalonica. They went by way of
Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). We stopped and saw
a few ruins, including this Lion of Amphipolis.
