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The route through Turkey / Asia Minor is approximately 2.180 km long, making it the longest continuous stretch of road of all countries on the way to Jerusalem. At the same time, Turkey is one of the most scenic and hospitable countries along the entire JERUSALEM WAY.

The following information is aimed at pilgrims who are planning their route in detail or who are seriously considering the pilgrimage through Turkey.

Border crossing Greece / Türkiye (Kipoi / Ipsala):
Crossing the border is only possible by vehicle. The easiest way is to order a taxi from the café a few meters before the Greek border checkpoint. The taxi will take you directly to the Turkish border control – straightforward and proven. Many pilgrims have already done so without any problems. View example

HOŞGELDİNİZ / WELCOME TO TURKEY

The Jerusalem Way leads from Greece via the Kipoi / Ipsala border crossing and subsequently deliberately across the Dardanelles to Asia.

We strongly advise against taking the direct route from Istanbul to Konya, as this would cause you to miss numerous important historical, cultural, and spiritual sites. These include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Troy, Ephesus (including the House of the Virgin Mary), Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Pergamon, Smyrna, as well as the routes of the Apostle Paul and several of the "Seven Churches" of the Book of Revelation.

For these reasons, the international peace route JERUSALEM WAY deliberately leads across the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia. This region has been a pivotal historical site for millennia. Due to its strategic importance, it was fiercely contested well into the 20th century – including during the First World War, in which hundreds of thousands of soldiers lost their lives here. Numerous memorials commemorate this and invite pilgrims to quiet reflection, prayer, and inner contemplation.

Even in antiquity, King Xerxes I (5th century BC) and Alexander the Great (334 BC) crossed the Hellespont here. Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa also crossed here with his army to Asia as part of the Third Crusade.

Note / Istanbul:
Those wishing to visit Istanbul can spend a few rest days in Keşan and travel to Istanbul by bus (direct connection). After sightseeing, they return to Keşan and continue their pilgrimage along the Jerusalem Way. This approach has proven successful for several pilgrims.

The Jerusalem Way then leads across Asia Minor to Antakya (ancient Antioch on the Orontes). This historically significant city near the Syrian border currently marks the end of the Jerusalem Way in Turkey. Onward travel to Syria is not currently possible. We therefore recommend flying from Antakya to Amman (Jordan) and then taking a bus to Ar-Ramtha – the starting point of the Jerusalem Way in Jordan.

The people of Turkey are generally very helpful, and their hospitality is remarkable. In terms of landscape and culture, Turkey is one of the most diverse and impressive countries along the entire route to Jerusalem – a true highlight for many pilgrims.

Accommodations:
The app includes numerous accommodation tips as points of interest (POIs). Additionally, our Turkey representative, Murat Kulansi, has created a translation explaining the peaceful intentions of the pilgrimage. This text has helped many pilgrims – for example, in conversations with locals, when finding accommodation, or during police checks. The translation is included with GPS orders (and will be integrated directly into the Jerusalem Way app in the future).

Winter in Türkiye

During the winter months (December to February), heavy snowfall is possible in the mountains. The section of Akşehir to Konya This route is not recommended at this time of year. The highest pass on the route is at approximately 2.000 meters (Taurus Mountains). In case of snow, the nearby road should be used as an alternative.

Note: Between Akşehir and Konya, the Jerusalem Way partially coincides with the Sufi Trail (approx. 160 km). Simple accommodations are available in some villages. It's best to ask the Muhtar (mayor) for a place to sleep – you can often even get a pilgrim's stamp there.

GPS is absolutely necessary in this section. Because the route partly runs cross-country and is difficult to find. In winter, many accommodations are closed or unheated.

Accommodation – practical information:
If overnight accommodation is not available in a village, it is recommended to travel to the next larger town by minibus, taxi, or hitchhiking. The following day, you can return to the route. The majority of pilgrims walk without a tent – ​​the route is still quite manageable.

Contact & Support – Türkiye

For specific questions or support needs, please contact Murat Kulansi (Representative of JERUSALEM WAY Türkiye). He speaks Turkish, English, and German and provides pilgrims with the best possible support. His agency Aura tour specializes in hiking and pilgrimage tours in Turkey.

JERUSALEM WAY Team Türkiye

E-Mail: kulansi@aura-tour.com

Website: www.jerusalemway.org/tr

Telephone & WhatsApp: +90 533 330 77 31

GPS app with POIs & accommodation tips for Turkey It is available in the webshop. Below you will find a sample GPS stage.