Pamukkale, which is unique with its snow-white travertines and the Ancient City of Hierapolis, is located in Denizli. Pamukkale is the touristic place that foreigners want to see the most after fairy chimneys. There is an ancient city in Denizli, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can visit the amphitheater, baths, pools and city gates in this ancient city.
Travertines of Pamukkale
Pamukkale Travertines are located 18 km from the center of Denizli. It has a natural beauty that amazes people. It is one of the must-visit places. Travertines are visited by millions of people every year. It is a magnificent place with its cotton-like appearance and natural formation and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Pamukkale Travertines, consisting of spring waters and travertine terraced hills, are known as “White Paradise”. Travertines have been providing spa services for about a thousand years. Travertines are 50 meters high, 3 km long and 250-600 meters wide.
Hierapolis Ancient City
This place is 18 km from the center of Denizli. An ancient Phrygian city located just behind the Pamukkale Travertines in the north. Although the exact date of establishment is uncertain, it is estimated that it was founded by Eumenes II during the reign of the Pergamon Kingdom in the 2nd century BC, and its name comes from Hiera, the Queen of the Amazons, the wife of Telephos, who is considered the founder of Pergamon according to Greek Mythology.
Hierapolis is one of the places that lost its Hellenistic characteristics after being damaged by the great earthquake in 60 AD and the earthquakes that followed. For this reason, the structures that have survived to the present day are completely from the Roman Period.
The feature that makes this place important in the post-Roman period is that it became an important religious center after the death of Philip (Philip), one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, in this city in the 80s. The city, which was also the center of the Diocese during the Byzantine period, is one of the cities that lost its importance after the Anatolian Seljuks, like other parts of Anatolia, after the 12th century.
When you come here today, you will see the Necropolis (city of the dead – tomb), Domitian Road and Gate, Oktoconus Temple, amphitheater, Frontinus Street and Gate, Agora, North Byzantine Gate, South Byzantine Gate, school building, fountain building, Apollon sanctuary, water channels, You can see the remains of structures such as Filipus Martynonu and Bridge, Direkli Church, the cathedral and the Roman bath. The entire city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.
Interestingly, the bathhouse in this city is outside the city. The reason is that the newcomers to the city are expected to wash before they set foot in the city. It is evident from the elevation difference built in front of the stage to protect the audience from wild animals that there were gladiator fights in the Ancient Theatre. Another thing that the theater whispers is the assumption that an average of 100 thousand people live in the city of the Ancient Theater, which has a capacity of 9,500 people. It is known from the stage decorations that the theater was made by different masters in different periods. At that time, there was a Bergama stonemasonry school. The theater was also designed under the influence of this school. Click for location. Number 2 on the map.
Ancient Pool (Cleopatra Pool)
The fact that this city is very close to Pamukkale Travertines makes it a “touristy” place since ancient times. In particular, the ancient pool, nicknamed the “Cleopatra Pool”, is one of the most indispensable places to visit. This is a 23-century pool. When an earthquake that occurred in the past opened a hole in the middle of the city, this Ancient Pool was formed when the beautiful columns of the city were swept into it, and the thermal waters that remained free filled it. Even his story made us say wow. Whether you have a face or just photograph it, we say that whatever you do, you should definitely see this place.
