Cnidus

Biblical References

Acts 27:7

Cnidus features briefly in the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome, in response to his appeal to Caesar. It is another of those locations used to plot Paul's journey without making clear whether Paul and his party stopped or simply passed by. "We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus." (NIV)

Other References

1 Maccabees 15:23 notes that Cnidus was one of a number of cities which received a letter indicating the support of the Roman republic for Jewish leaders in their struggle for control over Palestine in the inter-testamental period.

Visiting the Site

I visited Cnidus on a personal journey in 2014 during which I visited a number of sites in south-west Asia Minor (Turkey). I called in at Cnidus on a long day road trip from Bodrum (Halicarnassus, also mentioned in 1 Maccabees 15:23) to Gelemiş (Patara).

Cnidus is at the apex of a long narrow peninsula projecting into the Aegean Sea, west of Marmaris. The road is long, unsealed and rough in places. The site, however, is well worth the journey.

Cnidus had twin ports, to the north and south of a very narrow isthmus. The extensive remains of the city are spread along the south-west facing slopes to the east of the harbours.

Click here for a Google Earth view this remote location.

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