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,
Do not miss Pamukkale and Hierapolis ancient city if you go to Turkey. We spent half day there, and we were advised by our hotelier to start our trip in the afternoon, in order to catch the sunset from inside, as the view is fantastic.
We started at 2 PM climbing the travertines and enjoying the sun. Afterwards we visited…
You have to take a domusluk because the walk is unbearable in the heat. The driver was trained to speak in English and told us many things that we would not have learned otherwise. We took good pics and had an OK time on this segment of our journey.
The scenic wonder that is Heiropolis and the thermal pools is awesome. However, be aware that near the waters, the crowds are big. Most of the visitors are daytrippers, so the town of Pammukkale has not reaped much benefit from it proximity. It is a sad place.
Was an interesting tour through the necropolis and some of the other ruins through this Hellenistic city. You can see the different kind of graves basis social status from the simple to the very elaborate. Also the theatre and the plutonium was interesting. Not too crowded as most people enter pamakkule via the south gate but would recommend you use…
no comparison with other sites I have seen in Europe
Wonderful place!
I was in pamukkale on 6 aug 2012. There is a beautiful view that I never seen!
Amazing whiteness of ancient ages. I'm was so happy that I've been there.
I advise to see thise place for everybody!
We toured this site as part of a tour group. I never imagined how many sites containing Roman and Greek ruins were in Turkey. This is just another of many of the interesting places there are to see in this wonderful country.
A big hillside area all white like a ski slope, but actually limestone formed from the hot springs. You can paddle around much of it in the warm water, but to be honest it looks much better from a distance.
There is a large outdoor pool filled with hot water from the underground springs, so do bring your costume AND…
Immersing yourself and seeing the ancient sites and series of stops at the coast of the Aegean, Troy and Ephesus, including the ruins in more central sites of Aphrodisias and Gordion, one could think that Turkey's heritage was very pretty much tied to the Grecian, Roman and Hellenistic lines. But thanks to the natural formation such as that of the…
I left a review last year for Pamukkale/Hierapolis following a day trip which involved seven hours travelling for a one hour visit to the site. It's on here somewhere if you can find it but I'm pleased to say that this year we made sure we got to see it all properly by staying in the area for 3 days…