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,
worth visiting, used a local guide and look to visit out of tour bus group times if possible
Definitely worth seeing along with Necropolis. Beautiful walk and a beautiful view of the mountains and the small village. The ruins are just amazing
What a site (and sight) to see. Totally breathtaking. One thing to note – once you walk up, you must walk down.
We are active Canadans, in our 60s, and like driving when abroad – if is is safe and if there is much to see off the usual main roads. We have found Turkey's roads to be safe and generally very quiet – well . Just keep away from major cities!
While planning to drive the southwest coast from Marmaris to…
I got a bus from Selcuk Bus Station at 9.30 am and arrived here 3 hours later. It takes a couple of hours to tour the park. Plan to spend more than 3 hours here. You can also buy your drinks from the town as it is more expensive inside the park.
I accessed the park from the town center….
A spectacular beautiful day. Agree on starting at the bottom
It's HUGE! The whole place is seriously huge! I really liked the Great Theatre, especially being able to view it from the very top with snowcapped mountains in the background. It's breathtaking.
I like all…i dislike the heat…Turkey is amazing country with warm people, beautifull beaches hotels.
In the morning we visited Hierapolis (three times the size of Ephesus) which was founded by the king of Peramon in 190BC and by 2AD it had developed into an important Roman Bath Centre. Evidently Mark Antony gave these baths to Cleopatra as a wedding present. What a wonderful gift and yes you can still swim in the baths (entry…
I really liked this small town. Pamukkale means white castle. This white castle full of magic. I stayed in Karahayit that is close to Pamukkale area. Very nice places, very friendly villagers.