Derbe, ancient town of Lycaonia, Asia Minor. The Acts of the Apostles relates that Paul and Barnabas fled there from Iconium.

Derbe is an ancient city in today's Turkey. This city is mentioned in the Bible Acts - ()(), (). Ruins of this city are discovered near Lystra.

Location

Although still a subject of controversy, the most likely site of Derbe lies about north of the city of Karaman, Turkey.

The GPS coordinates for the nearby village of Madensehri is (North 37’ 26’ 14.5; East 33’08’ 29.3). Ruins of what is thought to be Derbe are on the hill near this village.

There are many churches that, throughout the centuries, were built to commemorate the visit of St. Paul. ()

A distinctive church ruin is believed to be the home of the last Bishop of Derbe, circa A.D. 1001. On the other side of that hill may lie the ruins of the city of Derbe. A few coins and inscriptions of Derbe are extant.

History

In ancient times, Derbe was one of a few Christian cities, and was used as a refuge for traveling Christians. Its Christian church was burned and buried under a mountain of soil by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, during the Diocletian Persecution, this event took place just prior to the year 300 AD. After the destruction of Derbe, there was a mass exodus of the population. Many went to western Europe, settling in modern day France. It is during this time that the last name "Derbes" began to be expressed with the connotative meaning, "man from Derbe". The name is still expressed as a surname to this day.

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