Hierapolis is an ancient Phrygian city located in Pamukkale, within the provincial borders of Denizli in southwestern Turkey, about 10 km north of the ruins of Laodicea. The city was probably established by Eumenes II of Pergamon in 190 BC at a crossroads connecting the inner region of Anatolia to the Aegean Sea to the west. Founded at the site of an ancient cult, Hierapolis became a sacred city (hieron) and was dedicated to Apollo Lairbenos. Its chief religious festival was the Letoia, named after the goddess Leto. Hierapolis was renowned for its sacred hot springs, which were believed to be associated with Pluto, the god of the underworld. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, Hierapolis has become a popular tourist destination, celebrated for its extraordinary landscape shaped by calcite-rich waters.

Coordinates: 37° 55′ 30″ N, 29° 7′ 33″ E

Hierapolis is often said to have been founded by Eumenes II, the king of Pergamum. However, it is possible that the city was actually established earlier in the 3rd century BC by the Seleucid Dynasty. There are two theories regarding the origin of its name. The first theory, attributed to Stephanus of Byzantium, claims that the name Hierapolis, which means “holy city,” was chosen due to the religious traditions that developed in the area. The second theory suggests that the town was named after Hiera, the wife of Telephus, who was the mythical founder of Pergamum.

Perched on a terrace created by cascading white travertine pools, the hot springs of this city were believed to possess healing properties. People came from far and wide to bathe in the mineral-rich waters, seeking cures for various ailments. After being ceded to Rome in 133 BC, the original Hellenistic city transformed into a prosperous Roman town and became one of the wealthiest cities in Asia Minor. Although it was severely damaged by an earthquake in AD 60, the city was extensively rebuilt and later reached its peak of significance during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

In the 1st century AD, Hierapolis experienced significant construction activity, primarily driven by the emperors of the Flavian Dynasty. By the 2nd century, notable structures such as the theatre and the monumental Agora were built. In AD 129, Hierapolis was likely visited by the emperor Hadrian, who had previously returned the aurum coronarium, a substantial amount of money given by the city to commemorate his accession to the throne. Under Emperor Septimius Severus, the city continued to prosper, and it was granted its first and only neocoria, a privilege allowing the construction of temples dedicated to the emperor, along with various administrative benefits, by Caracalla, who visited the city in AD 215.

Visualisation of Hierapolis in the 3rd century AD (Prof. Francesco D'Andria). — Visualisation of Hierapolis in the 3rd century AD (Prof. Francesco D’Andria).

Hierapolis city had a significant Jewish population, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, which facilitated the early spread of Christianity. According to tradition, the apostle Philip’s martyrdom occurred in Hierapolis in AD 80, and a church dedicated to him was built in the 5th century. With its several churches, Hierapolis became an important religious centre in the Byzantine years.

Hierapolis was first excavated in the late 19th century, with systematic excavations commencing in 1957 under the auspices of the Italian Archaeological Mission. This mission continues to conduct research, as well as maintenance and restoration work on the archaeological site. The Museum of Hierapolis opened in 1970, located in the Roman baths, to display its findings. The remains of Hierapolis cover a large area and are particularly impressive, featuring baths, temples, a monumental arch, nymphaea, necropolises, and a theatre.

PORTFOLIO

The nothern Necropolis of Hierapolis, one of the best preserved cemeteries of Asia Minor. It was also one of the biggest ones, since more than 1,200 graves have been excavated in an area larger than 2 km. — The Northern Necropolis of Hierapolis is one of the best-preserved necropolises of Asia Minor. It was also one of the biggest, with more than 1,200 graves excavated in an area larger than 2 km.

The oldest tombs date from the Hellenistic period (1st-2nd c. BC). They are tumuli, whose vaulted burial room was founded on a circular wall at the bottom; they sometimes had a separate entrance. The vault of the roof was covered with soil. — The oldest tombs date from the Hellenistic period (1st-2nd century BC). They are tumuli whose vaulted burial chambers were founded on a circular wall with a roof covered in soil.

The funerary architecture of the necropolis of Hierapolis had variety of burial architecture — The Northern Necropolis featured an exceptional variety of burial architecture, ranging from simple sarcophagi to mortuary chapels with gabled roofs, and even structures that imitated houses.

Northern acropolis, Tomb No. 166 (Tomb of the Gladiators). The tomb takes its name from from the travertine slab above the entrance bearing images linked to gladiatorial combat: an amphora for the oil offered as prize to the victor, a trident for combat, a circular shield. — Tomb No. 166 (Tomb of the Gladiators). The tomb takes its name from the travertine slab above the entrance, which bears images linked to gladiatorial combat: an amphora for the oil offered as a prize to the victor, a trident for combat, and a circular shield. (2nd-3rd centuries AD)

Relief with gladiatorial scenes, beginning of the 3rd century AD, from the Northern Necropolis of Hierapolis, Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, Turkey — Relief with gladiatorial scenes. Dated to the beginning of the 3rd century AD. From the Northern Necropolis. Hierapolis Archaeology Museum.

The monumental tomb N°. A18 set on a high staircase surrounded by buttresses. Dated to the Flavian era, it had two antechambers. — The monumental tomb N°. A18 is set on a high staircase surrounded by buttresses. Dated to the Flavian era, it had two antechambers.

The Northern Necropolis, Tomb No. 176 with a distinct facade that recalls the appearance of a house with a row of windows, 2nd-3rd centuries AD. — The Northern Necropolis. Tomb No. 176 has a distinct facade that recalls the appearance of a house with a row of windows (2nd-3rd centuries AD).

The Northern Necropolis beyond the city walls of Hierapolis.

The Bath - Basilica located at the northern entrance to the city, built as a bath complex in the 2nd century AD and coverted into a Basilica church in the 6th century AD. — The Bath-Basilica, situated at the northern entrance to the city, was originally constructed as a bath complex in the 3rd century AD and later converted into a church in the 6th century AD.

Frontinus Gate, the monumental entrance to the Roman city, dating to 84 or 86 AD on the basis of a dedication to Domitian on the gate's facade. — Frontinus Gate is the monumental entrance to the Roman city. It was constructed from travertine blocks and featured three arches and two circular towers, situated on its eastern and western sides.

The gate, built in the late 1st century AD, features a marble inscription dedicated to Emperor Domitian by Sextus Julius Frontinus, who served as proconsul of Asia from AD 84 to 86.

Frontinus Street extending in the north-south direction. Originally 14 metres wide, it was the main axis of the city. — Frontinus Street extended in the north-south direction. It was the main axis of the city.

The paved street was 14 m wide and had an elevated pavement. A long drain covered with monolithic slabs ran in the middle of the street. On both sides of the impressive street with the double colonnade there were houses and shops with continuous Doric facades. — Frontinus Street was a paved street 14 m wide with an elevated pavement. It was lined with a double Doric colonnade and shops.

Immediately after the gate of Frontinus the public latrines were found, dating from the end of the 1st century AD — The public latrine along Frontinus Street. The room was divided longitudinally by a row of columns that supported a roof composed of travertine blocks.

The room had two wings divided by a row of monolithic Doric columns supporting the big roof from travertine slabs. A drain was connected with the conduit of Frontinus Street. The niches for the seats are still preserved peripherally on the walls. — The latrine, dating back to the end of the 1st century AD, had two wings divided by a row of monolithic Doric columns that supported the roof.

The monumental North Byzantine Gate built in the late 4th century AD and early 5th century AD. — The monumental North Byzantine Gate was built in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. It formed part of the fortification system and the entrance to the Byzantine city.

The Nymphaeum of the Tritons, a monumental fountain built during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235 AD) as the inscription on the architrave block attests. — The Nymphaeum of the Tritons was a monumental fountain built during the reign of Alexander Severus (AD 222-235), as attested by the inscription on the architrave block.

The Nymphaeum of the Tritons included a reservoir 70 m long. xcavations at the monument started in 1993 and brought to light the marble architectural members and the figures of the relief decoration, such as the Tritons, Erotes and dolphins. — The Nymphaeum of the Tritons included a reservoir 70 m long. Excavations at the monument began in 1993 and revealed the marble architectural members and the figures of the relief decoration, including Tritons, Erotes, and dolphins.

The Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century AD under Hadrian on the ruins of an earlier theatre, later renovated under Septimius Severus. — The Roman Theatre was built in the 2nd century AD under Hadrian during a period of extensive rebuilding following the devastating earthquake of AD 60. It was later renovated under Septimius Severus. The theatre underwent important restorations between 2004 and 2014.

The theatre was 91 m wide with its cavea of 50 rows of seats, one diazoma, a semicircular Royal Box, and a vomitorium on either side. — The theatre was 91 m wide and had forty-five rows of seats separated by two diazomata and a vomitorium on either side. A semicircular marble tribunalia reserved for priests, dignitaries and honoured guests dominates the centre of the lower cavea. The cavea could accommodate approximately 15,000 people.

During the reign of Severus at the beginning of the 3rd century, the old scaenae frons was replaced by a new, more monumental one, organised on three storeys and flanked by two imposing side entry buildings. Sculptural reliefs displaying mythological subjects were placed on the different storeys, while dedicatory inscriptions ran along the entablatures.

Emperor Septimius Severus is shown in a procession with his family and the gods. A dedicatory inscription running along the entablature mentions the emperor Severus, during whose reign the old scaenae frons was replaced by a new, more monumental one.

Detail of the stage building with a statue placed between the niche and relief depicting a hunting scene from the Artemis cycle frieze. — Detail of the stage building with a statue placed between the niche and a frieze with reliefs depicting hunting scenes from the Artemis cycle.

Statues of Artemis, Leto and Apollo, from the Roman theatre, end of 2nd century AD. — Statues of Artemis, Leto, and Apollo, from the Roman theatre, dating to the end of the 2nd century AD.

The west-side of the Agora built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Hadrian. — The western side of the Agora was built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Hadrian. It was the commercial centre of the city. The Agora was surrounded by marble porticoes with Ionic columns at the front and Corinthian columns in its interior.

The eastern basilica-stoa of the Agora built in the 2nd century AD, it was a two-story structure and had a two-story Ionic facade. — The eastern basilica-stoa of the Agora. It was a two-story structure with an Ionic facade.

The Temple of Apollo built in the 3rd century AD using stone blocks from the older temple. — The Temple of Apollo was built in the 3rd century AD using stone blocks from the older temple. The temple’s front, approached by a flight of steps, stood on a podium approximately 2 meters high. It contained a pronaos and cella and had a row of columns, probably six, on the front only.

The Plutonium (Pluto's Gate), a sacred cave believed to be an entrance to the underworld and the oldest local sanctuary. — Adjoining the Temple of Apollo is the Plutonium (Pluto’s Gate), a sacred cave believed to be an entrance to the underworld. It is the oldest local sanctuary, and the site was fully functional until the 4th century AD, but remained a place of sporadic visitation by visitors for the next two centuries.

“This space is full of a vapor so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the ground…[…] Any animal that passes inside meets instant death” Strabo (Geography 13.4.14)