The lower portion of the underground church known as Ayatekla was constructed in the fourth century AD, and the upper portion was added in the latter half of the fifth century AD. From Silifke's city center, it is about 4 kilometers away. It is regarded as one of Anatolia's oldest and most important Christian sites. The sources claim that Tekla was motivated to spread Christianity after hearing a sermon by the apostle St. Paul. However, when non-Christians attempted to kill him, he hid in the cave, which is now the church. The legend holds that during the attempted murder, he vanished from the cave. After this, the underground church and later the upper section were built.
