Harbiye, Defne

Midtown Harbiye is about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of Antakya, the administrative center of Hatay Province at 36°07′50″N 36°08′40″E. It is situated in the valley of Asi (formerly known as Orontes) with an average altitude of 240 metres (790 ft) The population was 25,118 as of 2012 and it is higher than most other towns.[1]

Dàphne (Δάφνη in Greek) was a resort port-town during Seleucid Empire, famous for waterfalls, daphnes, and residence buildings. However, it was also famous for earthquakes; many ancients buildings were demolished during big earthquakes.[2] Under the Roman Empire, aqueducts were built to connect the local springs to the city of Antioch and there were several villas in Daphne.[3][4]

For many centuries, many monastic communities from different ethnicities settled in the region around Antioch[5] as for instance in Daphne. The Kastana monastery, dedicated to the Theotokos, was close to the Kastalia springs in Daphne.[6] Ephrem Mtsire, a famous 11th century Georgian monk, theologian and translator of patristic literature, was hegumen of this monastery.

Main economic activity is domestic tourism; hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops etc. The town is proud of the Daphne mythology.[7] There is also a minor silk industry. On the other hand, owing to closeness some Harbiye residents work in Antakya.