The Seven Churches
of Asia

The Messenger's Road

The Ancient Circuit
of Asia Minor

The seven cities were connected by an established circular road through the most populous and influential cities of the Roman province of Asia. A single messenger bearing the scroll could travel this entire circuit, delivering each letter to each congregation in turn. The road begins at Ephesus — nearest the coast — and proceeds inland through Smyrna, northward to Pergamum, then turning east and south through Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea.

1. I.
   EphesusModern Selçuk · Start of the circuit
2. II.
   SmyrnaModern İzmir · Crown of Asia
3. III.
   PergamumModern Bergama · Seat of Roman power
4. IV.
   ThyatiraModern Akhisar · City of the guilds
5. V.
   SardisModern Sart · City of legend
6. VI.
   PhiladelphiaModern Alaşehir · The open door
7. VII.
   LaodiceaModern Denizli · End of the circuit