The city was originally established as a healing center due to the therapeutic properties of its mineral-rich thermal springs.
The Plutonium, or 'Gate to Hell,' was an ancient cult site dedicated to Pluto where toxic gases, primarily carbon dioxide, would kill small animals while humans remained unharmed.
The necropolis is one of the largest and most diverse in Anatolia, showcasing architectural styles from Lycia, Phrygia, and Caria.
In 1988, UNESCO inscribed both Hierapolis and the adjacent Pamukkale travertines as a single mixed cultural and natural property.
The Roman theater was significantly restored in the 20th century by Italian archaeologists to preserve its seating capacity and ornamental relief carvings.
Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a well-preserved ancient Greco-Roman thermal spa city built atop travertine limestone terraces. The site contains a massive necropolis with over 1,200 tombs, including sarcophagi and tumuli dating from the Hellenistic to the early Christian periods. Visitors can explore a large 2nd-century Roman theater that seats approximately 15,000 spectators and retains much of its original decorative facade. The site features the Antique Pool, where visitors swim among submerged Roman columns from the Temple of Apollo. The Martyrium of St. Philip, an octagonal structure built in the 5th century, marks the traditional burial site of the Apostle Philip. The site's location on a tectonic fault line provided the geothermal waters that sustained the city's ancient medical and wellness industry. Extensive remains of the Roman baths have been converted into an archaeological museum housing regional artifacts. The city was founded in the 2nd century BC by the Attalid kings of Pergamon before becoming a Roman and later Byzantine administrative center.
The upper seating rows of the Roman theater providing a panoramic view of the ruins and the valley below.
Bring a change of clothes and a towel to swim in the Antique Pool.
Wear shoes with excellent grip, as the limestone paths and travertine surfaces can be extremely slippery when wet.
Carry plenty of water and sun protection, as the site offers very little shade.
Do not attempt to walk on the travertine terraces with shoes, as this is strictly prohibited and damages the geological formation.
Open daily year-round, though some sections may occasionally restrict access during extreme weather or ongoing archaeological excavations.
Modest dress is required if entering the area near the Martyrium; footwear is prohibited on the white travertine terraces to prevent damage.
