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Hierapolis: Where Myth and History Are Nourished by Thermal Waters
UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Pamukkale since 1988
Nestled in the Aegean hinterland, a short drive from Denizli, lies the ruins of Hierapolis, a city that once flourished as an ancient spa and healing center. Established around the 2nd century BCE by Eumenes II, the Attalid king founding the city of Pergamon, Hierapolis is believed to be named in honor of Hiera, an Amazon warrior queen whose heroic death during the Trojan War inspired mythical tales that still resonate today. Alternatively, some trace the name’s origins to the words hiera, meaning "holy," and polis, meaning "city," suggesting that Hierapolis was seen as a sacred site from its earliest days.
Today, the ruins of Hierapolis reveal a city still largely intact, its temples and ancient theater beautifully restored and dramatically lit at night. The Roman bath of yesteryear now houses the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, where relics of the city's vibrant past are on full display.
Another of Hierapolis' fascinating offerings, stunningly lit at night, is the Plutonium Sanctuary, or the "Gate of Hell," recently excavated in 2013. Constructed around a cave once believed to be an entrance to the underworld, the structure was dedicated to Pluto (or Hades), the god of the dead. The toxic gases that emanated from the cave’s depths were deadly to small animals and thus added to both the site’s and the belief’s air of darkness and mystery. In antiquity, the Sanctuary was a famous pilgrimage site as well, with notable visitors including Cicero, Roman emperors Hadrian and Caracalla, and the philosopher Damascus. Today, a replica of the marble statue of Hades and his three-headed dog, Kerberos, guards the sanctuary’s entrance, further enhancing its mystical allure.
Hierapolis also holds significance in Christian history, as the place of the martyrdom of Saint Philippus, one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles. As such, the site was declared an Episcopal Center in the 4th century CE, during the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) period. Visitors today can explore the Martyrium of St. Philippus, one of the sacred sites that continues to draw pilgrims and history lovers alike.
NOT TO MISS: At the heart of Hierapolis is Pamukkale, a natural wonder that has fascinated sojourners for centuries. Translating as the "Cotton Castle," Pamukkale’s calcite travertine pools filled with warm, mineral-rich waters create a striking landscape, and the modern spa hotels that carry on the wellness tradition attract copious visitors to this day. Before setting off on your night tour of the ruins, soak in the region’s calcium- and iron-laden waters and in a historic thermal pool where Cleopatra is said to have bathed, surrounded by fallen marble columns scattered beneath the water’s surface. Do not hesitate to buy a luxurious bathrobe made from Buldan fabric, named after the historic little town near Denizli, which is the textile capital of Türkiye. Produced with time-honored techniques, it makes the perfect souvenir to complement your spa escape in Pamukkale.
