A guide to visiting Hierapolis
Resting on a plateau above Pamukkale’s Cotton Castle in Turkey are the remnants of Hierapolis ancient city. With views over the dazzling white travertine terraces and 17 thermal springs, this town is home of the original spa break.
Hierapolis and Pamukkale come neatly paired so if you're visiting Pamukkale I recommend you take a wander through the nearby ruins of Hierapolis as well. It's one of the lesser known historical sites in Turkey and is well worth a visit.
A Visit to Hierapolis
We enter the ancient city of Hierapolis at the South Gate having been dropped off at the top of the hill by Mehmet in the hotel minibus. This means no steep climb which is just as well because the late September sun is screaming down on us and Mister’s wasp sting is looking pretty angry.
I leave him with his foot in a shallow spring (will the waters work their magic?) and head up the hill to investigate the well-preserved theatre.
Hierapolis Theatre
Constructed around 200 BC the theatre held up to 20,000 spectators, the stage buildings are decorated with detailed reliefs and there is VIP seating at the front; the views from the Gods at the top across the Lycos Valley are stunning.
Over the centuries the city of Hierapolis has been hit by several earthquakes and in 1334 a huge quake led to abandonment of the site, however, the theatre withstood the tremors due to the strength of the vaulted passages underneath.
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Hierapolis - the gate to hell
I leave the theatre and follow the path down past the remaining foundations of the Temple of Apollo - dedicated to Apollo Lairbenos founder of the city. Had I crossed to the other side of the temple I’d have confronted the Gate to Hell – I'd have definitely sneaked a peek even if just to tempt fate!
Named the Plutonium this small cave was believed to be the domain of the Roman god Pluto (Hades in Greek). Toxic gas was, and still is, emitted from an underground spring. The eunuch priests were the only ones with the power (or the savvy to hold their breath) to enter the cave and emerge unscathed.
The small animals and birds they took with them didn’t survive. In recent years two tourists have died here and the subterranean entrance is now closed off - the fumes can apparently be heard bubbling through the underground spring as they rise to the surface.
Hierapolis Antique Pool
We bypass The Antique Pool – it’s warmed by hot springs and the water holds segments of ancient marble columns. You can also visit Doctor Fish to get your feet nibbled – but not really our thing. I hope it looks a little more antique inside…
Plateia, Hierapolis
We head down Plateia, the main street of Hierapolis, which runs for half a mile from the south gate to the monumental Arch of Domitian which serves as the northern entrance to the city. It has three arches and two towers, and was originally two stories high.
The gate led into a colonnaded street known as Frontinus Street which was the centre of the city during Roman times.
To the left of the gate are the pillars of the latrine – the most public and the most ornate gent’s toilets I’ve ever seen – not that I’ve seen many gent’s toilets.
Hierapolis Necropolis
We pass through the Gate of Domitian and come to The Necropolis or graveyard which has three different areas, north, south and west. The north is the largest with more than 1200 graves including tumuli, sarcophagi and house-shaped tombs from the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian periods.
As long ago as 190 BC people travelled from afar to Hierapolis to take the waters and heal their ailments; although looking at the size of The Necropolis – the largest in Anatolia – it would seem that the waters were somewhat lacking.
They certainly didn’t help Mister’s wasp sting – at least not half as much as the large, ice-cold Efes we had when we got back to Pamukkale town…
Hierapolis and Pamukkale visiting information
Entrance fees to Pamukkale and Hierapolis are 42TL to both attractions and entrance to the Hieropolis Museum of Architecture is a further amount. It's also an extra cost to swim in the Antique Pool
Visit in spring or autumn to avoid the high-season crush. Start your visit with a stroll through Hieropolis and save your descent down the travertine for just before sunset. It’ll be quieter, cooler and the white terraces will glow golden in the last rays of the sun as the moon rises behind the plateau.
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Looks like a good adventure. How busy was it and did you do it in a tour group or did you do it on your own? Can you do it on your own?
Hi David, yes we did the tour on our own although our B&B dropped us up to the gate at Hieropolis. The travertines were very busy with coach parties when we arrived (late morning) so we spent a few hours at Hierapolis and then went to the travertines when the crowds had died down. Definitely stay until sunset.
I want to go back now - Been about 11 years since I have been!
Coupled with Pamukkale it's a fabulous place to visit - I'd like to go back soon as well 🙂
Great memories. About 20 years ago we went for a swim in that antique pool during a massive rainstorm. It was warm and felt like swimming in champagne or at least a fancy mineral water. There are actually columns and relics in the water- quite surreal. The place was a hotel then and cost about $1 for a swim if you weren't a guest. But everything was a bargain then. The nice hotel in the main street of Pammukale was only $4 for a double en-suite. Quite a unique destination. I think I want to go back. Regards Peet
Great to hear how it was back then - I'd guess you'll see major changes if you return!
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
I loved walking through the Hierapolis, it was definitely one of the highlights of my Turkey trip! You got some great photos of the place!
We did too - Pammukale and Herapolis defintely compliment each other to make a wonderful trip
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Beautiful shots!
Thanks Tammy - definitely worth a visit together with Pammukale
The view from the top of the theater is certainly impressive! And I think if you need to be buried somewhere, it should at least be someplace as scenic as those tombs.
Definitely a tomb with a view!
Viveka's always spot on, Suze! I was walking right there with you (and your limping partner!) 🙂
Thanks Jo - unfortunately the wasp sting was to become quite serious 🙁
Looks like a lovely place to slowly wander around and simply soak up the atmosphere. I'm sure I'll make it to Turkey one day!
I hope you do Kathryn - not that far to go...
Amazing ruins. I like your caption 'tomb with a view' - very clever. 😉
Thank you - couldn't resist!
Beautiful shots Suzanne. I loved Pammukale, although that pool seemed a bit tacky 🙂
Should have read Hierapolis, but they are nearly the same so.... 🙂
They are the closest of neighbours!
Thank you Madhu - there was so much to see there that I don't think we missed anything by not going to the pool. 🙂
It's amazing the rejuvanitive effects of an ice cold Efes
When in Turkey....!
Wow, never heard of ... but I know very little about Turkey, too little really.
Very interesting reading - when I looked at your stunning galleries I thought I was in Greece. I'm truly not a great tourist .. lived in Athens for 3 months and never visit Acropolis. I hate tourist attractions with loads of people ... here it seems to be very calm and not many people around, then I would enjoy it too. I'm a sad person at time.
I love that last photo ... with the hot springs and the mountains - that is one killer of photo. Excellent job.
This was my first visit to Turkey, Viveka and I was so impressed; loads to see, wonderful food and the endless friendliness of the local people. We always try to visit when the crowds have died down - later in the afternoon. Thank you for your final comment - much appreciated! 🙂