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 Pamukkale  234 pictures
 7.52 minutes HQ video The site is located 22 km from Denizli. The mineral springs and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis make the locatin an unusually attractive place. The Hitties and the Phyrigians, the early civilizations in Anatolia, built altars, temples or cities at almost every water source. Hierapolis was within the borders of Phyrigia. A very important and easily traveled natural trade and military road used to pass near Hierapolis. The Seleukos family ruled in the region during the 3rd century B.C. Historians agree that Hierapolis was founded by the King Eumenes II and that it was called "Hiera" in honor of the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamum. Yet some sources indicate that the city was named Hierapolis which means "the holy city" because Hiera means "holy,happy", and that since ancient times it had been a center for religious affairs. According to the will of Atallos II, In 133 B.C., the city was surrendered to Rome. The 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C., were the city's golden age. Sources indicate that during this period the city expanded considerably, the art of stone and metal works progressed, wool products such as carpets and fabrics, and the flowers raised in the city gained much fame. During the Roman period the city would appear to have had a population of around 100,000, the most important corroboration of this estimate being the innumerable tombs and sarcophagi by which the city is surrounded, and which at the same time offer convincing evidence of the city's wealth and prosperity. Theater This is one of the best preserved of the great theaters of Asia Minor. Severely damaged by several earthquakes, the theater is from the second century A.D., a Roman theater, dating from the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. This monument attained great renown as a jewel of Roman art and architecture. An inscription discovered in the theater contains a reference to the Emperor Hadrian. Theater - Stage Building The stage building was rebuilt in the third century A.D, during the reign of Septimius Severus. Temple of Apollo The temple is situated on a 2.5 meters high podium reached by wide steps. The temple is the only known temple in Hierapolis. In front of it, there is an area (peribolos) for defense surrounded by walls. The temple was constructed in the 3rd century. The temple is located in the center of the city. The reason for choosing this location is the religious building that lay in the proximity of the Plutonium or "cave of Pluto". Nympheum This monumental building was constructed in the end of the second century A.D., The retaining wall dates from the 5th century A.D. The monument is close to the temple of Apollo, as a matter of fact ,one of the reasons for its construction was to downgrade and partly conceal the temple of Apollo, which stood as a symbol of Pagan civilization. The Nympheum was used until the 5th century B.C. following restoration. An underground spring which supplies water to all the structures aforementioned is located to the south of the fountain. Main Street The main street is 1 km long. There are porticoes with columns and important public buildings on both sides of it as well as gates at each end. Since these gates and most of the streets were built during the Roman period, they are located outside the extant Byzantine city walls. The plan of the streets is similar to the cities of Miletos and Priene. Monument on the Main Street Gate of Domitian Arch of Domitian. A monumental gateway erected by Julius Frontinus, Proconsul of Asia Minor from 82-83 A.D. This gate is in the form of a triumphal arch with three openings and cylindrical towers at each side. Roman Baths The baths were constructed in the 3rd century A.D.,and later converted into a church during the early Christian period. There are indications that it was roofed with vaults, the undersides of which were covered by stucco, and that the rooms were covered with marble. NecropolisA necropolis of this size is extremely rare. It is Containing tumuli, sarcophagi and house-shaped tombs, lying on both sides of the road, and stretching 2 km. To the north spanning the centuries from the late Hellenistic age to early Christian times, it represents one of the best preserved of the ancient cemeteries in Turkey. Tumuli Large tombs constructed on a circular plan, with a small door. Sarcophagi Most of them bear inscriptions, and some of them have descriptive or decorative reliefs, usually belonging to the wealthier members of the population. House Type These are large tombs, with the shape of a house. They used to bury all the family in one grave. Thermal Baths
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