Another stunner. Again, we were unfamiliar with this site until we arrived. Although we had heard of Hierapolis from Paul’s travels in the New Testament, we had no idea what the city was like until we came upon the ruins today. Built and rebuilt over the centuries, it was quite the attraction due to the hot springs that it was built upon.
This blog will be primarily of photos we took. If you want to read a more in-depth background on this site check out the linked wikipedia sites, or others for Pamukkale or Hierapolis.
They have been seriously rebuilding Hierapolis since the 1950’s Most everything is covered with 8-16 feet of hardpan calcium carbonate; plus two major earthquakes in the first millennium; quite a job.
The amphitheater held around 25,000 spectators. Notice in the middle, on the fourth row where the king or emperor sat.
This is the back of the stage; very ornate, beautiful. As this was remodeled and upgraded over the centuries by the Romans, at one time they would flood this and have mock sea battles for the spectator’s enjoyment.
The entrance boulevard was stunning. Tradition maintains that Philip the disciple and his daughters moved here, and was eventually martyred here.
Pamukkale is also known as the “Cotton Palace” for good reason, see the photos below. These thermal springs have a heavy concentration of calcium carbonate. Over the centuries vast white frozen waterfalls of travertine terraces have resulted.
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