Perga (Perge)
Perga is located in the ancient region of Pamphylia. Its theatre, stadium, agora, towers, baths, and colonnaded streets give visitors a good sense of what an ancient city was like.
Perga is mentioned twice in the New Testament, both times in connection with Paul's first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas accompanied by John Mark left on their journey, their first stop, according to the book of Acts, was the Island of Cyprus. When they left Cyprus, sailing from the city of Paphos, they went to Perga, the first city mentioned on their journey through the southern regions of Asia Minor. At Perga, for some unexpected reason, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. The book of Acts does not state whether Paul and Barnabas did any missionary work in the city of Perga or simply passed through on their way to Antioch of Psidia. After visiting several cities in Asia Minor, Paul and Barnabas returned to Perga. This time they did preach to the people in Perga and shared the Christian message with them before heading south to Antalya.
Acts 13:13-14
13:
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14:
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Acts 14:24-28
24:
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25:
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26:
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27:
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28:
And there they abode long time with the disciples.