Hieropolis, Turkey

Jul 29

The ruins of the Greco Roman city of Hierapolis (Pamukkale, Turkey) lie on a terraced hillside above the cotton candy like mineral deposits of Pamukkale, at the edge of the Lycus valley. Laodicea is 6 miles to the south across the valley and Colossae about 12 miles to the southeast. In antiquity, Hierapolis was known for its hot springs and many baths. The spring water’s mineral content was ideal dying wool.

The Hellenistic city dates from about 190-150 BC and was gifted to the Roman Empire by Attalos III as it was part of the Pergamene kingdom. Hierapolis was destroyed by earthquakes over time.

Hierapolis is mentioned in Colossians 4:12-13 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” “For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.”

Scholars know from ancient historians and inscriptions found at the site there was a Jewish presence here. On one of the sarcophagi in the north acropolis there is a menorah engraving.

The location is beautiful even on cloudy days. It has a well preserved theater with a view of the Lycus valley, triumphal arch and city gateways are excavated, gymnasium and baths and a northern necropolis with over 1200 graves. The Martyrium of St Philip sits high above the site and the east necropolis and includes what was once St Philips tomb, a commemorative octagonal church and a pilgrim fountain.

The temple of Apollo and the Ploutonion or Charonion are some of the newer excavated areas. The Ploutonion is built around a deep cave with flowing water that had poisonous vapors which would kill animals and birds… strange entertainment and worship to watch animals be sacrificed in this way. Apparently some priests and/or priestesses could withstand the vapors and were said to offer prophecies in the manner of Delphi. Likely the gases hung low and animals were more affected than upright humans.

You are allowed to wade in -the travertine pools - very slippery!! Some tourists come solely for the mineral springs and surrounding hotels have hot spring pools. There is a museum near the pools containing statuary and capitals from the site. There is even a sarcophagus from Colossae.