A Guide to Hierapolis, Turkey: An Ancient Holy City of Ruins and Culture
The country of Turkey is filled with many ancient sites and monuments due to the country's rich cultural history which is influenced by the many rulers who established their kingdoms here. While every historical site in Turkey has an interesting story to tell, the ancient ruins of the city of Hierapolis are one of its historical marvels.
These ancient ruins have a history that dates back to the Iron Age and have since been influenced by many cultures like the Greek and Roman civilizations. There are many remnants of these ancient cultures still left intact inside these ruins which showcase the beliefs and the worship of these ancient cultures. So, keep reading to learn all the basics of the ancient ruins of Hierapolis.
Entry Inside Hierapolis
To enter the premises of Hierapolis, you have 3 options:
- South Entrance
- North Entrance
- The Town Center Entrance
You can acquire a ticket to enter inside from all three of these entrances as their ticket booths are built at every entrance so acquiring a ticket won't be an issue. If you are traveling alone to these ruins, then the south entrance is ideal due to it being close to a car park where you can park your rental cars for a small fee which is around 20 Lira though this might change in the future.
For those traveling with a group, any entrance is a suitable choice for gaining entrance to the ruins. An important thing to keep in mind is the fact that the opening and closing hours for all gates are separate and change during each season. For example, between March and May, the South gate is open between the hours of 6:30 AM and 8:00 PM.
However, between June and September, the South gate is open between the hours of 6:30 AM and 9:00 PM. So, make sure you check the timings for each gate at the time you arrive in Turkey before visiting Hierapolis.
The entry fee for a ticket is around 300 Lira for adults and children over the age of 6 but this can change in the future, so search for these charges beforehand.
Tourist Attractions Within Hierapolis
Due to the many cultures that ruled in Hierapolis in ancient times, there are several architectures and artifacts that tourists look at during their visit inside Hierapolis. These places are mentioned below:
The Gates to Hierapolis
While they may not appear like anything you should spend a lot of time looking into, each gate of Hierapolis has a lot of detail that describes the way of life of the ancient civilization that once called this city their home. There are 3 gates leading inside the city with 2 gates being named after a significant figure of the Roman culture that once resided here and one being named after the period in which it was created.
Gate of Domitian
Named after the Roman Emperor Domitian, this gate acts as the southern entrance of the city. This gate's notable feature is the 3 arches that are adorned with carvings that showcase the Roman culture that once resided here.
Frontinus Gate
This gate is named after the Roman governor Sextus Julius Frontinus during the second century A.D. During the Roman's dominion over the city, only these 2 gates existed to enter inside the city grounds. The gate acts as a crucial part of the city's defensive walls which were built to repel any invasion attempts inside the city.
North Byzantine Gate
The 3rd gate of this city was created during the Byzantine period in the 12th century A.D. This gate essentially was created to serve the same purpose as the Frontinus Gate which was to reinforce the city's defensive walls against invasions. Once you get past the gates, you will notice the street that once housed the market of the city.
The street is surprisingly well preserved and gives a glimpse into the market life of the people who once took a walk here daily. You will also observe the places which once housed the city's thermal springs. These were considered holy and made the city a center for religious visits in ancient times.
Temple of Apollo
In both Greek and Roman cultures, Apollo was considered the god of divine light, music, and medicine. This temple once had many decorations adorning its corridors.
The place once was a hub of worship and religious devotion. Observe the architecture of this temple to immerse yourself in the many ceremonies that once took place in this sacred temple of Hierapolis.
Devil's Gate
Just beneath the temple of Apollo is the Devil's Gate which is a significant site in the ancient world. Back then, it was believed that this place connected to the underworld. The underworld is the place where the souls of those who die go to be judged for the actions they took while they were alive.
This place was believed to hold significance to the god Pluto, the god of the underworld, wealth, and agriculture in Roman culture. It is said there was once a ceremony where the priests of Hierapolis would walk through the fault line of this place to show their connection to divinity to the common masses.
If you are confused as to how that proves anything, it is because the fault lines were said to release toxic fumes capable of killing anyone who breathes in a large enough amount of these gases. In modern-day, this place has been renovated and a statue of the god Pluto is also placed here to remind people of the significance of this intriguing site.
Martyrium of St. Philip
This place holds a very significant position when it comes to the history of Hierapolis. In Christianity, this place is known as the place where one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, St. Philip met his martyrdom.
This place consists of a chapel and an underground chamber which is believed to be the final resting place of St. Philip. Because of this, this place is very important to the history of Hierapolis and has held religious significance for many centuries.
Hierapolis Archaeology Museum
The Hierapolis Archaeology Museum displays several artifacts from different cultures that once resided in Hierapolis along with several significant sites for visitors to observe. Many of these artifacts on display were unearthed after the many excavations that took place between the 19th and 20th centuries.
This museum also has several statues to showcase which were erected by the ancient population in honor of the many gods and goddesses that they worshiped along with several stone slabs which allows you to learn about the rich history of those civilizations. The biggest attractions of this place, however, are the baths of ancient Roman civilization.
These places once served as the spots where people socialized with each other. Outside the museum is a garden where only specific plants are grown. This is because these plants were grown in ancient cultures to serve as medicines to heal people of the many ailments they might be suffering from.
The ancient city of Hierapolis is one of the most significant ancient sites in the history of Turkey. The blend of many different cultures that have established their kingdoms within the city's walls has given it a separate identity from the many different historical sites of Turkey. So, if you are a history fan looking for a destination with a rich history, Hierapolis in Turkey is one of the best options for you.
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