Hierapolis is a lost and buried city in Türkiye, Asia. UNESCO World Heritage List: Hierapolis-Pamukkale gives its chronology as “c. 200 BCE to 1354 CE.” Its listed material is Travertine and concrete.
A Greco-Roman spa city above the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale.
What makes it extraordinary
The Octagonal Martyrium of St. Philip
The 5th-century Martyrium of St. Philip, located on a hill outside the city walls, features a sophisticated central octagonal structure with a 20-meter diameter. This central space was originally covered by a lead-tiled wooden dome and surrounded by eight rectangular rooms that served as entrances or chapels. The design is attributed to a Byzantine imperial architect and included heptagonal chapels with triangular apses in the interstitial spaces. Although the martyrium was long associated with the apostle's burial, his actual gravesite was reportedly discovered 40 meters away in 2011.
Seismic Alignment of the Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo Lairbenos was purposely constructed over a surface trace of a seismic fault, a geological feature shared with the adjacent Ploutonion. Archaeologists believe this alignment was intentional, as the fault was revered as the 'Gateway of Hades.' While the current remains are primarily Roman-era reconstructions from the 3rd century using recycled Hellenistic blocks, the site originally housed a Doric-style temple within a 15 by 20-meter peribolos. The sanctuary was later partially dismantled by Christians in the 4th century to accommodate a monumental Nymphaeum, which effectively obscured the pagan temple from view.
Hellenistic Grid and Monumental Gates
Hierapolis was organized on a Hellenistic grid system with a 1,500-meter-long main thoroughfare running north-to-south along the travertine cliff. This 13.5-meter-wide street was flanked by arcades and terminated in monumental gates built of massive stone blocks. Notable entrances include the Domitian Gate, a three-arched triumphal structure built by proconsul Julius Frontinus between 84–86 AD, and the North Byzantine Gate. The latter was constructed in the late 4th century using reused material from the Agora and featured apotropaic marble brackets carved with lion and Gorgon heads to ward off evil.
Earliest Known Crank and Rod Mechanism
The 3rd-century Sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos, a local miller, features a relief depicting the earliest known example of a water-driven sawmill incorporating a crank and connecting rod mechanism. The relief illustrates a waterwheel powered by a mill race that, through a gear train and connecting rods, operated two frame saws to cut rectangular stone blocks. This archaeological find provides critical evidence for the sophisticated mechanical engineering present in Roman Hierapolis, demonstrating the use of complex motion conversion long before the medieval period.
History of Seismic Destruction and Rebuilding
Hierapolis suffered repeated devastation from major earthquakes, notably in 17 AD under Tiberius and 60 AD under Nero. The latter event left the city in ruins, leading to a complete rebuild in the Roman style with imperial financial support, which defined its current archaeological form. A final catastrophic earthquake in the 7th century caused the collapse of the theatre and the marble portico of the Antique Pool, leading to the city's gradual decline. Over centuries, the abandoned ruins were encased in a thick layer of white travertine limestone deposited by the persistent hot springs.
Architectural Scale of the Roman Theatre
Constructed under Hadrian and later renovated by Septimius Severus, the theatre at Hierapolis featured a 300-foot-long facade and an auditorium capable of seating 15,000 spectators. The structure was engineered for diverse spectacles, including venationes and gladiator schools, facilitated by a high podium around the orchestra. In the 4th century, the orchestra was further modified into a waterproof arena for fashionable aquatic shows. The scaenae frons was a monumental three-story structure decorated with mythological reliefs, marble columns, and an imperial loge for visiting dignitaries.
The Lethal Ploutonion and Toxic Gas
The Ploutonion at Hierapolis was a sacred site built over a seismic fault that released suffocating carbon dioxide gas from a deep rock cleft. This 3-square-meter chamber was described by ancient writers like Strabo as a gateway to the underworld, where the gas was so dense it killed animals and unauthorized visitors. Eunuch priests of Cybele demonstrated divine protection by entering the cave, either holding their breath or finding pockets of oxygen near the floor, as the heavy gas settled in hollows, creating a deadly 2,000-square-meter enclosed area.
Extensive Necropolis and Varied Tomb Types
The necropolis at Hierapolis is one of Turkey's best-preserved, extending over 2 kilometers along the ancient roads to Tripolis and Sardis. It contains approximately 1,200 tombs constructed primarily from local limestone, reflecting the diverse socio-economic status of the city's inhabitants and visiting spa patrons. Burial types include simple rock-cut graves, circular tumuli with vaulted chambers, and elaborate marble sarcophagi raised on substructures. Some monumental family graves resemble small temples, while others feature 'bomas' (altar) inscriptions, indicating the high social position of the deceased and their transition to heroic or divine status.
Ancient Medical Tourism and Thermal Baths
Hierapolis flourished as a prominent Roman healing center where doctors utilized thermal springs to treat patients. The city featured more than fifteen baths, including the Great Baths and the Basilica Baths, which were centered on natural pools with temperatures ranging from 36–57 °C. The water's high mineral content, including bicarbonate and sulphate, made it suitable for both drinking cures and bathing. This reputation for health attracted thousands of visitors, many of whom retired to the city, contributing to its growth to 100,000 inhabitants and the development of its massive necropolis.
Economic Foundation in Wool and Dyes
Beyond its fame as a spa, Hierapolis was a major Hellenistic and Roman commercial hub renowned for high-quality wool fabrics and dye products. Its strategic location on the main road from Iconium to Ephesus facilitated extensive trade with the Aegean region. The city's wealth, generated from these industries and its status as a religious center, allowed for grand building projects, including a gymnasium, multiple baths, and a colonnaded main street. This economic prosperity supported a population of 100,000 and earned the city the title of 'neocoros' under Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD.
