It was founded between 261-263 BC by Seleucid king Antiochus II dedicated to his wife Laodike. Because of the wool obtained from the sheep raised within the borders of the ancient city, it was an important centre in the field of textile in the 1st century BC and the welfare level of the people was quite high.
The ruins of the ancient city which was destroyed by the earthquake in 60 AD were unearthed after the excavations. The largest stadium in Anatolia, 2 theatres, 2 baths, 5 agora, 5 nymphaeums, 2 monumental gates, Bouleuterion, temples, Peristylli houses, Latrina, churches, monumental streets and necropolis area are among the buildings that can be seen in the ancient city spread over an area of 5 square kilometres.
The big theatre on the north side of the ancient city is 20 thousand people and only the orchestra is standing and the other parts are destroyed. Apart from the big theatre, which is a classical Roman theatre, there is another small theatre with a capacity of 15 thousand people with only orchestra standing. The stadium of the ancient city was built 350 meters long and 60 meters wide. The stadium was built in the form of an amphitheatre and has a 24-step audience tower for spectators to watch. In the middle of the biggest street in the ancient city is the fountain with two pools built by the Romans. Mythological subjects are included in the reliefs on the fountain.
On the northern side of the ancient city are the ruined city council and a large temple. The ancient city, which is 6 km away from Denizli city centre and 9 km away from Pamukkale, can be reached by following the Denizli Pamukkale road with a private vehicle, as well as by Pamukkale minibuses departing from Denizli bus station or by minibuses from Korucuk. Between 08:00 and 19:00 in the summer. In winter between 08:00 and 17:00. Museum cardholders can visit free of charge.
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