It is thought that it was founded in the 2nd century BC by the king of Pergamum Eumenes II and named after Hiera, the wife of Telephones, the founder of Bergama. It is also called the holy city because of the many religious buildings in the ancient city of Hierapolis. According to ancient sources, the city, which stands out with its metal and stone processing and handwoven fabrics, was also the capital of the Phrygian region.
Among the most important factors for an ancient city to be considered sacred is the presence of many temples and religious structures, as well as the entrance of the cave, where thermal waters and gasses come out, which is also known as the gateway to the land of the dead. It is also believed to be the point where God Plouton and his wife Persophone entered the underworld.
The ancient city of Hierapolis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Pamukkale travertines, includes the Frontinus street, the Agora, the South Byzantine gate, the North Byzantine gate, the Gymnasium, the Tritonian Fountain Building, the Ionian Column, the sanctuary of Latrina, Apollon, and the water canals and Nymphaeums, Plutonium, Walls, Seljuk castle ruins, Theater, St. Philippus Martyrion, St. Philippus bridge, Direkli church, Necropolis Area, Bath, Cathedral, Great Bath Complex and Roman Bath, Domitian Gate (Frontinus Gate), Hell Gate, 12 Apostle Church and Victory Road.
Hierapolis Amphitheater:
The construction of the 1800-year-old Hierapolis Amphitheater began in the second half of the 1st century AD and was completed in 150 years. Hierapolis Amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Theater was built on the hillside. The theatre has 50 seats and the seating areas are divided into 9 sections. The restoration work started in 2010 and the works in the theatre ended in 2013. The theatre has a capacity of 12 thousand people is used today in cultural and artistic events. It is understood that the theatre was used in wild animal fights as well as gladiator fights in the ancient period. Mythological reliefs, magnificent stage building and seating areas that are not in any other theatre except Antalya Perge Theater make Hierapolis theatre special. Among the striking reliefs in the theater: The birth of Apollo and Artemis and relief of the ritual scenes, Relief of the wars between the gods and giants, Relief of Hades, the god of the underworld, kidnapping Persephone to the underground, Entertainment scenes consisting of Dionysos, Sastry and Menards, music between Marsyas and Apollo Quiz reliefs.
St. Philippe Martyrion Church:
The church, located to the north of the ancient city of Hierapolis, was named after the apostles of Jesus and it was thought to have been built in the 4th or 5th century BC. St Philippe, who came to the region to spread Christianity, was killed there. The tomb of St. Philippe is believed to be beneath the church remains. The church of St. Philippe Martyrion was built on a high hill to the north of the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Necropolis of Hierapolis
The cemeteries located outside the city centre of Hierapolis are spread over a large area. The cemeteries, which consist of two sections, namely the North and South cemeteries, have a very different architecture. It is understood that the magnificent tombs in both regions belong to elite families in terms of their architectural structures. It is estimated that the graves in the acid rock cavities in the necropolis belong to the lower level of the society. The southern part of the Necropolis, which was used from the Hellenistic period to the Byzantine period, was severely damaged in the earthquake of ancient times.
Anatolian Cemetery
Muslims, Christians and Jews were also buried in the cemetery in the north of Necropolis of the Hierapolis. In the area where there are graves of very different shapes, the graves with 2 floors are the most interesting ones.
Hierapolis Amphitheater
The construction of the 1800-year-old Hierapolis Amphitheater began in the second half of the 1st century AD and was completed in 150 years. Hierapolis Amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Theater was built on the hillside. The theatre has 50 seats and the seating areas are divided into 9 sections.
The restoration work started in 2010 and the works in the theatre ended in 2013. The theatre has a capacity of 12 thousand people is used today in cultural and artistic events. It is understood that the theatre was used in wild animal fights as well as gladiator fights in the ancient period. Mythological reliefs, magnificent stage building and seating areas that are not in any other theatre except Antalya Perge Theater make Hierapolis theatre special.
Among the striking reliefs in the theater: The birth of Apollo and Artemis and relief of the ritual scenes, Relief of the wars between the gods and giants, Relief of Hades, the god of the underworld, kidnapping Persephone to the underground, Entertainment scenes consisting of Dionysos, Sastry and Menards, music between Marsyas and Apollo Quiz reliefs.
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The church, located to the north of the ancient city of Hierapolis, was named after the apostles of Jesus and it was thought to have been built in the 4th or 5th century BC. St Philippe, who came to the region to spread Christianity, was killed there. The tomb of St. Philippe is believed to be beneath the church remains. The church of St. Philippe Martyrion was built on a high hill to the north of the ancient city of Hierapolis.
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