Photos of Hierapolis

Hierapolis is located above Pamukkale and was built in 190 BC. In ancient times, the hot springs, together with the limestone at the foot of the mountain, were thought to have magical powers. The site is not small, with ancient cemeteries, large baths, bazaars, arches, amphitheaters, ruins of the Temple of Apollo, Hierapolis Museum and ancient hot springs scattered from north to south. Entering from the ticket office at the north gate, the first pass is an ancient cemetery with more than 1,000 tombs. Continuing on is the North Bath, where several giant stone arches are connected, typical of Roman architecture. Next to the bathroom are three continuous arches and cylindrical stone piles. From here, to the south, there is a north-south avenue that runs through the ruins. Today, most of the avenues are scattered with broken walls and debris, and have been surrounded by railings. The Hierapolis Museum is located at the southern end of the avenue, which is a junction, leading to it from the travertine below the mountain. It was originally the bathroom of NTU, which displays a large number of statues and sarcophagi unearthed from the ruins, including sculptures of ancient Greece and Rome, a large number of ancient coins and gold and silver jewelry, which are very delicate and beautiful. Turn left at this intersection and you will see the Pamukkalegu Thermal Pool. The bottom of the pool is the ruins of Roman times. The hot spring water is constantly gushing from the bottom, and the water quality is clear. You can clearly see the marble columns and statue fragments at the bottom of the reclining pool. The water temperature is not high, around 35°C. It is worth noting that although there is a changing room, you need to bring your own bath towels, and there is an additional charge of 30 Turkish lira. The amphitheater near the ancient hot springs is well preserved and is a part worth visiting. This is a Roman theatre built in the 2nd century BC and is said to have capacity for up to 15,000 spectators. Statues of the gods of Greek mythology can be found at the main entrance, and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo can be seen in front of the Coliseum. The ruins of Hierapolis are particularly beautiful at sunset, with the golden slanting sun shining through the arches on the ancient stones, and the beauty of the vicissitudes of life is unforgettable.