Hierapolis Ancient City: The Land of Healing, Faith, and Power

Located just beside the travertine terraces of Pamukkale in the northern part of Denizli province, Hierapolis Ancient City is regarded as one of the most important cultural centers of ancient Anatolia, both for its natural surroundings and its religious and political heritage. Influenced by various civilizations over thousands of years, this ancient city stands out with its healing thermal waters, sacred structures, and strategic location.

Geographical Location and Natural Features

Hierapolis is situated within the Aegean region of western Anatolia, near the branches of the Büyük Menderes (Meander) River, on a hill covered with travertine formations. It lies about 20 kilometers from the modern city center of Denizli. The region experiences a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

This geography offers not only climatic advantages but also rich natural resources. The most striking feature of Hierapolis is its thermal springs. These hot waters, rich in calcium carbonate, form the travertine terraces and have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. Because of this, the city was considered sacred both medically and religiously.

Political History

The founding of Hierapolis dates back to the early 2nd century BCE during the reign of the Kingdom of Pergamon. The city is believed to have been established by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. Its name, Hierapolis (Ἱεράπολις), meaning “sacred city” in ancient Greek, reflects its intended identity as a religious and healing center from the very beginning.

In 133 BCE, with the bequest of the Pergamon Kingdom to the Roman Empire, Hierapolis also came under Roman rule. During the Roman period, the city reached its architectural, artistic, and administrative peak. Under Roman governance, extensive developments were made, including roads, baths, theaters, and sacred buildings.

Even after the rise of the Byzantine Empire, Hierapolis maintained its significance and became a bishopric center. With the spread of Christianity, the city’s religious structures evolved, and many churches were built. However, starting in the 7th century, a series of earthquakes and Arab incursions led to a gradual decline and abandonment of the city.

Religious History and Sacred Identity

From antiquity onward, Hierapolis was a sacred city in both pagan and Christian belief systems. One of the city’s most notable religious structures was the Ploutonion, a sanctuary dedicated to Hades, the god of the underworld. This cave, emitting toxic gases from underground, was believed to be an entrance to the underworld—representing death and divine mystery in pagan traditions.

Additionally, structures dedicated to Asklepios, the god of medicine, and various thermal baths reinforced Hierapolis’s role as a healing center. People from distant regions traveled here seeking cures for their ailments, spiritual purification, or to offer sacrifices to the gods.

During the Christian era, the city’s most significant religious aspect was its association with Saint Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, who is believed to have lived and been martyred here. A monumental structure known as the Martyrion of Saint Philip was built in his honor, making Hierapolis an important Christian pilgrimage site. This underlines the city’s prominent role in the early development of Christianity.

Hierapolis Today

Today, Hierapolis is one of Turkey’s most visited archaeological and religious-tourism destinations. In 1988, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with Pamukkale. The ancient theater, agora, necropolis (cemetery), bath complexes, colonnaded streets, and church ruins remain remarkably well-preserved and are carefully protected.

Artifacts unearthed during excavations—such as statues, inscriptions, tombstones, and ancient medical tools—are displayed in the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum. Thanks to the development of thermal tourism, visitors can now enjoy both a cultural journey and the healing properties of the thermal waters.

Conclusion

The ancient city of Hierapolis has served as a crossroads of faith, politics, and medicine for thousands of years. Recognized as sacred in both pagan and Christian traditions, this city once welcomed pilgrims seeking physical and spiritual healing. Today, this extraordinary settlement continues to offer a layered legacy to the modern world, preserving the rich heritage of humanity.