Hierapolis Ancient City

You can visit Pamukkale and the ancient city just behind it free of charge with your Museum Card (Müzekart). Hierapolis means “holy city” in Greek. The city is known to have been Phrygian and to have been founded in the time of the Kingdom of Pergamon. The site of Hierapolis is made up of the ancient theatre, the necropolises, the Antique Pool, the Domitian road, the agora, a pillared church, the Martyrium and bridge of Philip, the Temple of Apollo, the gates, the baths and the Cleopatra Pool. The Medusa figure at the city entrance draws visitors’ attention. This magnificent historic site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988. In the 4th century AD it became important to Christians because Philip, one of the apostles of Jesus, was killed here.

The ancient theatre is, I would say, the best of everything I saw. Its architecture is superb, and it is incredible that it has survived to this day. The city has two gates, to the north and the south. One of the places in Hierapolis that excited me most was the Antique Pool, one of the few pools of its kind in the world. Its water is said to be good for rheumatism, blood pressure, heart and nervous and vascular conditions, and its temperature stays the same in summer and winter. The Temple of Apollo, dating back to the Hellenistic period, is another key stop in Hierapolis. Walking the road between the Roman gate and the Domitian Gate was incredibly exciting.

Hierapolis, One of Türkiye’s Finest Ancient Cities

On the hill just above the ancient theatre lies the tomb of

, one of the places that moved me. Philip was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and was crucified in Hierapolis. His tomb was found here in 2011, which is why it is regarded as sacred by Christians. One of the most important historic sites of the Hellenistic and Christian periods, the ancient city of Hierapolis is among the most important places in my country. The travertines and the ancient city side by side are enough to impress anyone who comes. You can get here in a 10-minute ride on the minibuses from the city centre. I highly recommend a visit.

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