The ancient settlement of Hierapolis is located 18 km north of the city of Denizli, the town that plays a very significant role in textile industry of Turkey. In archaeological terminology, Hierapolis is named as the "Holy city" owing to the fact that the city was full of temples dedicated to several deities and many other structures with religious importance.
The geographical location of Hierapolis has always been a matter debate between ancient historians and philosophers as the city was situated on the crossroads of ancient regions. According to the ancient geographer Strabon, Hierapolis was a Frigian settlement, and before it was named as Hierapolis by Pergamene king Eumenes II, it was a religious center related to the cult of "Mother Goddess", (Kybele, Cybele or it was also called "Magna mater" the goddess of fertility, productivity)
The city was founded by Pergamene king Eumenes II in the first half of 2nd century BC, and named as Hierapolis after the name of Hiera; the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamum. It was not a big coincidence that the city was founded nearby the hot thermal water springs which for many centuries, used by ancient doctors as a source of medical treatment for their patients. This distinctive geographical feature was a great contribution to the development of the city mainly as a healing center, and its Hellenistic style plan, buildings and streets continued to survive until the several devastating earthquakes which took place after AD 60. After that the city was rebuilt by Roman emperors, yet to the expense of losing its hellenistic character, and remained as a tiny Roman settlement.
The apostle Philip is believed to have lived and martyred in Hierapolis. According to an ancient source he was nailed upside down to a tree and stoned to death in AD 80. Emperor Justinian (527-565), gave Hierapolis the status of metropolitan see. During the Byzantine period the city continued to remain an important center for christianity. In 12 century AD, the area came under the Turkish control.
Gates and the Main Street : The main street which is around 1 km long, divides the city into two parts. On each side of the street there were colonnaded porticoes and state buildings. At the entrance, two monumental gates which just like the many other structures was built during the Roman period, survived until today. The first gate was flanked by two huge towers combined with three arched passages and built by Julius Frontius, Proconsul of Asia and dedicated to Emperor Domitian c AD 83. In short distance after the Domitian gate, is the Byzantine gate thought to have been built during the Byzantine period.
The Roman Bath : Like many other structures, the bath was built with local volcanic stones and dates back to 2nd century AD. Traces indicate that the interior walls were covered with marble and the plan is typical to other Roman baths. Today some of the walls and vaulted arches are visible and open to visitors.
Temple of Apollo : The temple was built nearby a cavern known as Plutonion which once had a religious significance. According to ancient sources the priests of Kybele (Mother Goddess) cult used to walk inside this cavern and ever effected by the poisonous gas. Although the foundations of the temple date back to late hellenistic period, the upper parts belong to 3rd century AD.
Theatre : The construction was initiated in AD 60 after the devastating earthquake and completed in AD 206 by Emperor Septimius Severus. Leaning on a slope of a Hill it is 91 m high and has 50 rows of seats in the cavea (Auditorium) which is divided into 7 sections by 8 stairs (Kerkides). The central horizontal passage way (diozomata) is entered through two vaulted gateways (vomiterium). In the middle of cavea was the imperial lodge and the stage (skene) building was decorated with spiral columns and niches with the statues of gods, goddesses, and Roman Emperors.
Martyrion of Apostle Philip : The remains of the octagonal structure dates back c 6th century AD. It was built on a square plan measuring 20 x 20 m, to the memory of Apostle Philip who martyred in Hierapolis.
Necropolis : During the Roman and late Hellenistic periods burials were not allowed inside city boundaries. Therefore the city's main necropolis was a short distance beyond the basilica baths. This baths was converted into a church in the 5C. Being one of the largest cemeteries of Asia Minor, contains tombs dating from Hellenistic era to the early Christian period. On each side of 2 km road are the Sarcophagi for single person, house style temple tombs for a family, and circular Tumuli. Most of them bear inscriptions o them. Today all of the tombs are broken caused by ancients robbers and personal belongings of the dead person are stolen.
Nympheum (Monumental Fountain) : Monumental Fountains were also called Nypheums after the mythological water fairies, (Nymphs). These fountains were built mainly for the ornamentation of streets and for public use. Two major fountains are located on the main street and another one is situated inside the temenos (sacred precinct) of Apollo temple. The latter has a horse shoe shaped, two storied corinthian order plan. Between the columns there used to stand statues and in front there is a rectangular basin.
The Fountain located on the main street after the Byzantine gate is considered to be the biggest in Asia Minor (Asiatic potion of Turkey, also called Anatolia or Anadolu in Turkish). The structure was decorated with the relief of mythological figures, Tritons (that's why the fountain was also called Triton fountain). One of the inscriptions state the fountain was dedicated to Emperor Caracalla (211-217 AD). Two storied U plan fountain has an Corinthian order with columns and niches decorated with statues. First storied has reliefs of floral motives, and on the frieze there were relief of Amazons combating with Greeks, Griphons, Nymphs.
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