Antakya, as we said in an earlier article, prides itself on its religious diversity. So we weren't surprised to find evidence of ancient, pagan animistic beliefs in the trees around the necropolis at Cevlik, some 20 miles south of Antakya.

The tree in the photo is festooned with strips of cloth, tissue, even sweet wrappers which have been tied to its branches.

Almost all of them white, although we have no idea if the colour is significant.

You can find 'lucky' trees like this all over Turkey but in this place there were lots of them all along the side of the path leading to the ancient Roman necropolis.

Why this place is so special we also do not know – but we certainly found it intriguing.