The presence of a hot spring at Hierapolis and the spectacular calcium deposits from its water spilling over the nearby hillside suggest that there should be evidence of an early settlement there. The oldest Inscription found so far, however, indicates it was founded by Eumenes II, king of Pergamon, in the latter part of the second century B.C.; it soon became a busy industrial center.
Pagan worship in the city centered around Cybele, Apollo, Artemis, Men, Poseidon, and Pluto. Underneath the Temple of Apollo has been found the Plutonium, an opening in the earth from which a noxious gas still comes. The temple is between the pool where the hot spring rises and the large theater on the side of the hill. To the north along the rim of the plateau is a long avenue of tombs.
Traditionally St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis. Fairly recently Italian archeologlsts have discovered his Martyrium, an octagonal chamber forming a double cross surrounded by a square. This is almost due north of the theater, also on the side of the hill. It was a fifth century A.D. building and did not last much more than 100 years. No tomb was found with it although that was expected. There are several ruins of churches, one not far from the baths, one on the main road leading to the necropolis.
Hierapolis is listed in the New Testament along with Laodicea as the center of Epaphras’s work (Colos-sians 4:13). This was at the time Paul was writing to strengthen the message Epaphras was preaching and to condemn the “people who go in for self-mortification and angel-worship” (Colossians 2:18). Another less well-known resident of Hierapolis was Papias, a disciple of St. John and the author of the lost book called the Sayings of Jesus.
While Epaphras was is that area, a young slave was growing up in Hierapolis, a boy whose original name is unknown but whom we call by the Greek for “Acquired”, Epictetus. In his Discourses Epictetus often talks about the perfect missionary whose bed was the ground, whose only house the earth and sky and a shabby cloak, and who must love those who misuse him in the service of God. One wonders what the influence of those early Christians, many of whom were slaves themselves, was on this Stoic philosopher.
Hierapolis,
This is one of the things I was most looking forward to on our tour of Turkey and I was not disappointed. There is not much to see of city of Hieropolis , but the history is interesting. The highlight was of course the calcified pools. We had a wander with our guide and were then given free time. We…
The travertine cliffs are magnificent, and at the top you find a great ruin to explore! Worth taking time to drive there if you have a car (and stop at Aphrodisias along the way!).
There are 3 entrances. The south entrance takes you through the byzantine gate, and you can meander downwards towards the travertines and a pretty long trek to one direction towards the nortn entrance. The north entrance is the most dramatic one that takes you into the hieropolis through the necropolis, which is an unearthly long walk amongst crumbling sarcophagus and…
It is quite a large area but there is nothing too spectacular abouit it and it dwarfs into the background compared to the calcified hillside.
We had seen many a Roman ruin site so we were over them by the time we got there.
It is quite a long walk to see all the different parts of the ruins and…
Spectacular archeological site on top of the "cotton-mountain". Walking among remarkable ruins from the old town Hiearapolis and looking out over the underlying landscape was breathtaking. The bus took us all the way to the top of the mountain, would have been hot to walk in the april sun, being 28 C. I recommend this place to anyone, interested in…
The pools are quite amazing and in spite of all the visitors there was not too many crowds. The town itself is small and dusty.
Wonderful to see the site being protected and all the work that is still been undertaken to uncover, record and protect this fantastic historical site. Spent 2 days walking observing and reflecting. Plenty of shady areas to relax and rest, and many water points to cool off with . The thermal pools were always busy so did not pay extra…
Hierapolis ruins were very run down standing at only 5% of it's original structure. Pamukkale was amazingly excellent and a must see for anyone who appreciates natural beauty. I would recommend this site to anyone who loves to sit and soak in the sun in a beautiful once in a lifetime experience.
Pamukkale is so strange that it is amazing, the white mountain with the green background of the valley, the warm and refreshing water-pools and the Heriapolis ruins right there are the top are definitely worth the long trip no matter what other place in Turkey you are coming from.
I recommend that when you decide to go there you know…
This is an attraction that looks better in the photos than it actually is. The pools look crystalline blue, but are actually chalky with stones that are hard on your feet. No way to wear shoes because the guards will blow a whistle at you. In the middle of the UNESCO world heritage site is the antique pool, which has…