The seven churches

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

The seven names are a sequence, not a menu of equal cards. Revelation addresses them in this order. Some are great archaeological cities. Thyatira and Philadelphia are lived-in towns, and the letter is the reason to stop.

01 · Revelation 2:1–7

Ephesus

Selçuk, İzmir

The great Roman city, and the first letter.

02 · Revelation 2:8–11

Smyrna

İzmir

Izmir, and the church that knew Polycarp.

03 · Revelation 2:12–17

Pergamon

Bergama, İzmir

The acropolis above Bergama, and the Red Basilica in the town.

04 · Revelation 2:18–29

Thyatira

Akhisar, Manisa

Akhisar, a working city, and the longest of the seven letters.

05 · Revelation 3:1–6

Sardis

Sart, Manisa

Capital of Lydia, where the letter says, Wake up.

06 · Revelation 3:7–13

Philadelphia

Alaşehir, Manisa

Alaşehir, and the letter of the open door.

07 · Revelation 3:14–22

Laodicea

Denizli

The lukewarm letter, beside the white terraces.