The Christian city closest to Muslim lands in Asia historically was Antioch. Antioch was a major early Christian center located near the frontier of Muslim lands in the Near East. After its capture by Muslim forces in 637 AD, it remained a vibrant city with a mixed population of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Antioch was significant in early Christianity and served as a bridge between Christian and Muslim territories in Asia. Another notable Christian city close to Muslim lands was Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, a Christian empire, and bordered Muslim lands in Asia Minor. Constantinople remained a key Christian city adjacent to the Muslim world until its fall in 1453. Between Antioch and Constantinople, both were historically the closest major Christian cities to Muslim lands in Asia, with Antioch being more directly on the border in the early Islamic period and Constantinople being the great Christian metropolis near the Muslim lands of Anatolia.
Summary:
- Antioch: Early major Christian city close to Muslim lands in Syria, captured in 637 AD.
- Constantinople: Capital of the Byzantine Christian empire, near Muslim Asia Minor territories.
This answers the question of the Christian city closest to Muslim lands in Asia historically.
