Footsteps of Paul

According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul made three separate missionary journeys and a journey to Rome. The biblical narrative ends there, but tradition has it that he was martyred in Rome around 67 AD. On the other hand, it is also possible that he was released in Rome following his appeal, and continued his missionary work in various places. Fortunately for modern travelers interested in biblical sites, Paul traveled in some of the most beautiful places around the Mediterranean! Below is an illustrated index of the 11 Footsteps of Paul profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.

Paul's First Missionary Journey (47-49 AD) - Acts 13-14, with Barnabas

Antioch and Seleucia (starting point)
Cyprus – home of Barnabas
Salamis – John Mark joins
Paphos, Cyprus – conversion of Sergius Paulus
Perga – John Mark leaves
Pisidian Antioch – First Gentile Christian congregation
Iconium (Konya) – many believe
Lystra – Paul and Barnabas treated as gods
Derbe – success
Lystra – Paul appoints elders
Iconium – Paul appoints elders
Pisidian Antioch – Paul appoints elders
Perga – Paul appoints elders
Attalia
Return to Syrian Antioch

Paul's Second Missionary Journey (50-53 AD) - Acts 15:36-18:22, with Silas

Antioch (starting point)
Syria and Cilicia
Derbe
Lystra – Timony joins the party
Phrygia and Galatia – Holy Spirit prevents them going to Bithynia
Troas – Paul's vision of the man of Macedon
Philippi – conversion of Lydia, thrown in jail, earthquake, conversion of jailer – gospel goes to Europe
Thessalonica
Berea (Veria) – Jews examine scriptures – memorial of Paul's preaching
Athens – Paul preaches the Unknown God on the Areopagus
Corinth – Paul stays for 18 months, with Aquila and Priscilla, writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians
Ephesus – farewell
Jerusalem
Return to Syria

Paul's Third Missionary Journey - Acts 18:23-28:31, with Timothy

Phrygia and Galatia
Ephesus– Paul stays for two years, writes 1 Corinthians and possibly Galatians
Macedonia – Paul writes 2 Corinthians
Corinth– Paul stays 3 months, writes Romans
Troas – stays for 7 days; Eutychus and the nighttime meeting
Assos (Behramkale) – Acts 20:13,14 - Aristotle taught here
Mitylene
Samos
Miletus – farewell speech to Ephesians (?)
Jerusalem– imprisoned
Caesarea – Paul in prison for two years; Felix, Festus, Agrippa
Malta – shipwreck en route to Rome

Paul in Rome

According to early tradition, Paul was imprisoned in Rome in 53-62 AD and again in 64 AD. While in Rome he wrote the New Testament books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. According to the 4th-century historian Eusebius, he was beheaded in Rome in 67 AD.

Featured Pauline Sites

Areopagus (Mars Hill)
Athens, Attica, Greece

This bald marble hill approached by slippery steps was home to the Athenian council and court, where Socrates was condemned and Paul spoke about "the Unknown God."

Chapel of St. Paul (Bab Kisan)
Damascus, Syria

This stone chapel in Damascus incorporates materials from the Bab Kisan, the ancient gate through which Paul was lowered out of a window in Acts 9:25.

Corinth
Greece

Located 48 miles west of Athens, Corinth was an important Greek city that also played a prominent role in the life of the Apostle Paul. Ruins include Temples of Apollo, Aphrodite and Octavia.

Mdina Cathedral
Mdina, Malta Island, Malta

This 17th-century cathedral stands on the traditional site of the town house of the governor Publius, who received the Apostle Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta.

Miletus
Turkey

An important port city visited by Paul, Miletus contains the ruins of a Temple of Serapis, a Byzantine church, an important inscription, and a Sacred Way to Didyma.

Philippi
Macedonia, Greece

Philippi is a city in eastern Macedonia founded by Philip II in 356 BC. It was visited by the Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys and was the recipient of one of his biblical letters.

Pisidian Antioch
Turkey

Founded by the Seleucids in the 3rd century BC, Pisidian Antioch became an important Roman colony. It was visited by St. Paul and hosted the first fully Gentile Christian community.

St. Paul's Church and Grotto
Rabat, Malta Island, Malta

The beautiful St. Paul's Church in Rabat stands above a grotto where the Apostle Paul is said to have taken refuge after his shipwreck on Malta.

Straight Street
Damascus, Syria

his historic street is as straight today as when it was walked by St. Paul. Today it contains many markets, the House of Ananias, several Roman arches and mosques.

Tarsus
Turkey

Tarsus is a Turkish city 27 kilometers east of Mersin, best known as the home of Antony and Cleopatra and birthplace of Paul the Apostle.

Thyatira
Turkey

Thyatria was a Greek city and early center of Christianity. The apostle Paul visited the city several times and it was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.