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Hierapolis (Ἱεράπολις) is an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site atop the travertine terraces of Pamukkale in Turkey. The closest town is Pamukkale.
History of Hierapolis
Hierapolis, meaning Holy City, was founded as a resort town in the 2nd century BC, most likely by Eumenes II, the King of Pergamon. There was originally a temple built at the site by the Phrygians around the first half of the 7th century BC.
Hierapolis has been a tourist destination for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans were drawn to the city for the natural healing powers of the water. Many people would travel there to heal their ailments, retire, or die.
Hierapolis was bequeathed to the Roman Empire by King Attalus III in 133 BC. It grew to be very wealthy and had about 100,000 inhabitants. It was an important center for the arts, philosophy, and trade. Also, the citizens of Hierapolis had the luxury of having hot water piped directly into their homes.
The city became an important Christian center from the 1st century through the Byzantine era. Apostle Philip was crucified there in 80 AD, and early Christians turned the Roman baths into a church.
Hierapolis was devastated by an earthquake in the early 7th century and later by Persian invasions. In the 12th century, it was conquered by the Seljuks before the Crusaders under Frederick Barbarossa captured it in 1190. The city was abandoned around 1220 until a new settlement popped up shortly after. The site was permanently abandoned in the late 14th century.
Excavations at Hierapolis
Hierapolis was rediscovered by Raymond Chandler in 1765. It was excavated for the first time by German archaeologist Carl Humann (1839-1896) in June and July 1887. Italian archaeologists led by Paolo Verzone (1902-1986) began more thorough excavations in 1957. Excavations and restoration of the site is ongoing.
Due to the slow progress of restoration as well as the devastating effects of earthquakes and fires over the centuries, the city isn’t as spectacular as other ancient cities like Ephesus or even Laodicea. Also, many of the statues and other treasures were transported to museums outside of Turkey.
Visiting Hierapolis and Pamukkale
Hierapolis is open daily. Admission for foreigners is €30 (as of September 2024) and includes access to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale as well as the Hierapolis Museum. Visit the official website for more info.
There are three entrances to the site. One is in the town of Pamukkale at the bottom of the terraces. The north and south entrances are at the top and accessible by car. There are also plenty of tourist facilities at the site. Most people are going to congregate in the center of the site at Pamukkale, the Antique Pool, and the theatre. If you explore to the areas to the north and south, including the necropolis and Frontinus Street, you’ll likely have those areas to yourself.
Hierapolis is a huge archaeological site. There’s a lot to see. I’ll start this post at the north entrance at the Northern Necropolis. From there, I’ll work my way south through the site, covering all the important features in a somewhat organized manner until I reach the south entrance.
Northern Necropolis
The necropolis of the ancient city of Hierapolis is the largest in Turkey and one of the best preserved in the world. It spreads out from the city walls to the north, east, and south.
Features of the Hierapolis Necropolis
The Hierapolis Necropolis extends for over two kilometers and contains over 1,200 tombs. Most of the tombs have been excavated, and the northern necropolis, which is just inside the north entrance, is the best place to see them. It can also be reached by walking north from the Hierapolis Museum or Antique Pool past Frontinus Street.
The majority of the tombs were built during the Hellenistic period, with the oldest dating back to the 1st and 2nd century BC. There are also several tombs from the Roman and Early Christian period. Local limestone and marble were used in their construction.
The tombs in the necropolis belonged to both residents of Hierapolis as well as people who came to the city for medical treatment or simply to retire and die. All different kinds of styles were used in their design.
Many of the tombs contain curses meant to deter grave robbers. This clearly didn’t work because most tombs have been plundered throughout the years. Other tombs were surrounded by travertine which has disappeared over time. I can imagine it was quite magical to see all of these marble tombs sitting among the white travertine.
Types of Tombs
According to archaeologists, there were four different types of tombs in the necropolis. The first were simple graves for common people. They were simple sarcophagi or tombs carved directly into the rock.
The second are sarcophagi decorated with reliefs and containing the names and professions of their occupants. Some were raised on a platform or sat atop other monumental tombs.
A third type include circular mounds covered with grass. They contain passageways leading to a vaulted chamber inside. These are usually located on the slope of the hill and are the oldest tombs at the necropolis.
The fourth and final type are large monumental family tombs often resembling a temple. They belonged to the wealthiest citizens.
Notable Tombs
The last time I walked through the northern necropolis at Hierapolis was November 2011. At that time, there was very little information about the more interesting tombs. Since then, detailed information has been added to enhance the visitor experience. I had a chance to see these improvements on my most recent visit to the city in November 2023 and will update this post when I have time.
One of the more interesting tombs is Tomb A6, which was built in the 1st or 2nd century. It was a large structure with a few sarcophagi placed inside. One of the sarcophagi is decorated with a unique pattern.
Tombs 56 and 81 are both monumental tombs with a burial chamber inside. Each also had two sarcophagi resting on top.
Basilica Bath
Near the end of the northern necropolis is the Basilica Bath. It sits outside the city walls and was built in the early 3rd century. At that time, visitors were required to clean themselves before entering the city in order to prevent the spread of disease.
The bath was eventually turned into a Christian basilica some time in the 5th century. This was done by adding an apse to the building. The bath had vaulted ceilings and the walls were decorated with marble slabs.
Frontinus Street
After passing the Basilica Bath, you’ll come to Frontinus Street, which was the main street running through the ancient city of Hierapolis. It ran from north to south the entire length of the city.
Frontinus Street was named for Sextus Julius Frontinus (c. 40-103), a Roman civil engineer and proconsul of Asia from 84 to 86 AD. Only the northern portion of the street has been fully excavated. Several important buildings lie along this stretch of the road.
Frontinus Gate
The official entrance to Hierapolis was the Frontinus Gate. It was a triumphal arch built by Frontinus in 84 AD. The gate was made of travertine blocks and has three arches. Circular towers on either side are in the style of Hellenistic city gates.
Latrine
Just inside the gate on the east side of the street is the latrine. It was built in the 1st century and has a row of columns separating two rooms. The latrine was available free of charge to citizens of Hierapolis.
In the inner room of the latrine, it’s possible to see the channel where waste was flushed out to the sewers. Another channel with clean water ran in front of the wastewater channel.
North Byzantine Gate
Further along Frontinus Street is the North Byzantine Gate. It was constructed as part of a new fortification system under Emperor Theodosius I in the late 4th century. It’s a monumental gate built of material recycled from the agora. The symmetrical South Byzantine Gate sits on the south side of the city.
The North Byzantine Gate is flanked by two square towers. Marble brackets with the heads of lions, a panther, and a gorgon were founded on the ground in front of the gate. A partially reconstructed unmarked building sits to the north of the gate. It may have been a shop or a private residence.
Nymphaeum of the Tritons
Just past the gate on the east side of the street is what remains of the Nymphaeum of the Tritons. It received its name from the carvings of fish-like creatures found in the ruins. The nymphaeum was built between 220 and 222, and its marble façade collapsed into the pool during an earthquake in the middle of the 7th century.
Stretching for 65 meters along Frontinus Street, it’s one of the longest nymphaea ever discovered in the Roman world. It consists of a large pool fronted by a marble balustrade and two niched towers at either end. Archaeologists believe it had three tiers of columns.
Bath
Across from the Nymphaeum of the Tritons are the remains of a bath. It was made of travertine blocks and was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century. A residential area was built atop the ruins in the 11th century.
Hierapolis Cathedral
Finally, at the southern end of the excavated section of Frontinus Street is the Hierapolis Cathedral. It was built in the early 6th century and consisted of a nave with two aisles separated by two rows of columns. You can make out the synthronon in the apse.
The cathedral opened onto Frontinus Street via an atrium and narthex. On the right side of the narthex was a baptistry with a circular baptismal font.
South Side of Frontinus Street
The rest of Frontinus Street is unexcavated or unrestored. It runs all the way to the South Roman Gate on the southern walls of the city.
Agora of Hierapolis
The agora of Hierapolis was the city’s center of trade and commerce. It was laid out in its current position after an earthquake in 60 AD caused a landslide to level a large part of the town to the east of Frontinus Street and the Nymphaeum of the Tritons. It was one of the largest public agoras in Anatolia, measuring 170 x 280 meters.
The most important trading activity in Hierapolis was held in the agora, mainly for textiles and marble. Unfortunately, hardly anything remains of the agora. Most of its building materials were plundered for use in other structures. A sole column stands in the center.
Byzantine Church
Just north of the agora is a small Byzantine church. Only the foundation remain and it’s not very exciting.
Suburban Theatre
If you look up in the hill to the east of the church, you’ll notice the seats of an unexcavated theatre. The Suburban Theatre was located outside the city walls and was built right into the hillside.
Eastern Necropolis
I encountered more of the city’s huge necropolis while walking between the Martyrium of Saint Philip and the agora. The path is littered with tombs although they are much more spread out. Many have Greek inscriptions on them.
The tombs and sarcophagi in this eastern part of the necropolis are not as spectacular as the tombs you can see in the northern part, but they’re still interesting.
Martyrium (Martyrion) of Saint Philip
The Martyrium (Latin) or Martyrion (Greek) of Saint Philip is one of the most important areas of Hierapolis. It’s the spot where Apostle Philip was crucified in the 2nd half of the 1st century. It sits outside the city walls and is an important site for Christian pilgrims.
Path to the Martyrium of Saint Philip
The path to the Martyrium of Saint Philip is a long walk from the rest of the ruins at Hierapolis. The Pilgrim’s Path (see below), which was the main path leading up to the Martyrium, starts at a spot north of the Temple of Apollo. You can also get there by walking east through the agora, or by taking a path that leads north from the theatre. On my last visit to the Martyrium in November 2011, I took the path from the theatre. A few sarcophagi and tombs littered the road.
Saint Philip’s Bridge
As you near the Martyrium, there’s a modern bridge crossing over a gorge. This is the spot where Saint Philip’s Bridge once stood. Only the foundations of the original bridge remain today. The new bridge hadn’t been constructed at the time of my last visit. Also, the break in the walls is probably where the Gate of Saint Philip once stood. It was built in the late 4th century under Theodosius I.
Pilgrim’s Path
Immediately after crossing the bridge is the last section of the Pilgrim’s Path, also known as Saint Philip’s Road. It’s a 4th century stairway leading up to the top of the hill where the Martyrium and church are located.
Purification Building
Immediately to the left at the bottom of the stairway are the ruins of an octagonal building that was once thought to be a bath. Due to the number of religious objects found inside, it’s now believed to have served as a place of purification for pilgrims. It’s also important to note that baptistries and many churches were often built on octagonal plans. The octagon represents resurrection and eternal life in Christianity
Pilgrim’s Fountain
Near the top of the steps is the Pilgrim’s Fountain, which was built in the 6th century. Pilgrims could refresh themselves by washing or drinking water from the fountain after the long walk up to the Martyrium of Saint Philip. The fountain was in ruins at the time of my last visit but has since been restored.
Church of the Sepulchre
A few steps from the fountain to the right is the Church of the Sepulchre. It was discovered in 2011 and was still under restoration and closed to the public at the time of my last visit. The Church of the Sepulchre dates back to the 5th century and was built directly over the tomb of Apostle Philip.
The Church of the Sepulchre was a three-aisled basilica. The tomb of Apostle Philip sat on the left aisle and was built of stone in the late 1st century. The interior has a horseshoe-shaped bench and was decorated with frescoes. The tomb was found empty because the remains had been transported to Constantinople (now Istanbul) and onto Rome at some point.
The synthronon is clearly visible in the apse of the church. A shaft leading to an underground chamber was discovered in front of it. The chamber may have been used as a reliquary or burial chamber.
Remains of the Martyrium of Saint Philip
A set of stairs to the left of the Pilgrim’s Fountain led up to the Martyrium of Saint Philip. Note the rectangular rooms on the outside of the Martyrium. They were used to house pilgrims.
Walking through the Martyrium of Saint Philip, the octagonal shape of the church becomes obvious. The arched piers on the outer circle supported the roof. All of the walls were once covered with marble panels.
In the center of the Martyrium is a rectangle of white stones on the ground. They mark the chancel, which was once topped by a wooden dome covered with lead. The bases of the travertine columns around it supported the dome.
The Martyrium was built in the 5th century and, as previously mentioned, was the spot where Apostle Philip was crucified. According to Christian tradition, Philip had managed to convert the wife of a high-ranking Roman official. The official was so enraged that he had Philip tortured and crucified him upside down.
Hierapolis Theatre
The Hierapolis Theatre is one of the finest in Anatolia. It’s a slight walk uphill from the museum and Antique Pool.
History of the Hierapolis Theatre
The original Hierapolis Theatre was built in the 2nd century during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. It was designed as a Greek theatre, with the seating constructed directly into a hillside.
The scaenae frons, or stage background, was replaced in the beginning of the 3rd century during the reign of Septimius Severus. The seating was also upgraded from limestone to marble, and the orchestra was adapted to allow for gladiator and animal fights. In 352, it was further adapted to allow for aquatic shows. The theatre collapsed in the 7th century during an earthquake.
Architecture of the Hierapolis Theatre
The Hierapolis Theatre has a 91-meter long façade. There are 50 rows of seats divided by a main aisle, which could be accessed via 2 vaulted passages. An imperial loge sits in the center, and a wall nearly two meters high surrounds the orchestra. The theatre had a capacity of about 15,000.
The stage was 3.7 meters high and had five doors and six niches. In front were ten marble columns. The scaenae frons was a monumental three-story structure flanked by two side buildings.
The scaenae frons was decorated with sculptural reliefs, statues of deities, and dedicatory inscriptions. The originals are on display in the Hierapolis Museum and copies have been used in the reconstruction.
Reconstruction of the Hierapolis Theatre
Between 2009 and 2014, the first tier of the scaenae frons was reconstructed by Italian and Turkish archaeologists. First, 3,000 marble blocks found during excavations were analyzed and arranged on platforms to the west of the theatre. They were cleaned and repaired, and missing fragments were filled in with a different type of marble in order to easily distinguish it from the original marble. Copies of reliefs and statues were added, and the entire structure was then stabilized against earthquakes. The theatre is now used for performances.
House with Ionic Capitals
Just downhill from the theatre is the House with Ionic Capitals. It was closed to the public during all of my visits. I hope to see it open on my next visit to the city. I’ll add more information about it soon.
Temple of Apollo
Further downhill is the Temple of Apollo. It was an important shrine in Hierapolis and is near a number of other significant ruins.
The Temple of Apollo was originally built during the Hellenistic period and is the oldest religious building in Hierapolis. It was rebuilt in the 3rd century and functioned until it was closed by Christians in the 4th century. It was completely destroyed by earthquakes in the 6th century.
The Temple of Apollo was about 70 meters long and surrounded by a marble portico on the south, west, and north. The back of the temple to the east was built against a hill.
Temple Nymphaeum
In front of the Temple of Apollo was the Temple Nymphaeum. It was built in the 3rd century and also distributed water to nearby houses using a complex network of pipes.
The nymphaeum is on a U-shaped plan surrounding a large basin. The older lower part was made of travertine blocks while the upper part was made of pieces recycled from other buildings. The niches held busts of gods and goddesses.
Once located inside the sacred area of the temple, the Byzantines built a wall at the back of the nymphaeum to block views of the temple. This occurred in the 5th century.
Plutonium
The Plutonium, or Pluto’s Gate, was a sacred area a few steps south of the Temple of Apollo. It was built over a cave that emitted toxic gases caused by underground seismic activity. Because the gas was lethal, locals believed it was created by Pluto, the god of the underworld.
During the earliest years of Hierapolis, castrated priests of Cybele would crawl into the Plutonium and either hold their breath or find pockets of oxygen. They would then crawl out to show they were immune to the gas and had divine protection.
The priests would sell birds and other small animals to visitors so they could test the lethal properties of the gas. Visitors were also able to ask questions of Pluto’s oracle for a fee. These activities raised a significant amount of money for the temple. Later, during the early Christian period, the Plutonium was walled off and wasn’t rediscovered until Italian archaeologists conducted excavations in 1965.
Recent Developments at the Plutonium
I would like to mention some exciting developments at the Plutonium. During my first visit to Hierapolis in November 2011, almost the entire area was open to the public and I was able to wander around the ruins. Most of the photos in this entry are from that visit.
During my most recent visits in June 2022 and November 2023, almost everything was surrounded by an enclosure and it looked like archaeologists have been working on some partial reconstructions. The main part of the Plutonium has been reopened with new interpretive panels and walkways, and there were newly reconstructed columns that hadn’t been there on my first visit in 2011. More sections around it are yet to be opened, and I’ll update this post with new pictures and updated information as soon as I have a chance.
Section of Frontinus Street?
A few steps in front of the Plutonium are a few more ruined buildings and what looks to be a section of a colonnaded street. My guess is that it’s part of Frontinus Street. On my first visit there was no information posted, and as I mentioned earlier the entire area was closed on my most recent visit. Once again, I hope to see the results of reconstruction and get some more information on a future visit.
Church with Pillars
Walking south from the colonnade is the Church with Pillars. No detailed information was available at the time, but the church dates back to the 6th century during the Byzantine period.
Antique Pool
The Antique Pool of Hierapolis is one of the highlights of the ancient city and very popular with visitors. Hierapolis was known for its natural thermal waters, which made it an important tourist destination and healing center. The Antique Pool is a swimming pool created specifically for healing purposes and was especially important during the Roman period.
It’s said that Cleopatra bathed in the pool when she visited the city with Mark Antony. According to legend, it’s said that Mark Antony had it created specifically as a gift for Cleopatra. Therefore, the pool is also known as Cleopatra’s Pool.
The Doric columns at the bottom of the pool came from a portico built in the 1st century. It collapsed into the water during an earthquake in the 7th century. Later, the pool was part of a hotel complex built before excavations began, but it has long since been demolished.
Features of the Antique Pool
The Antique Pool maintains a constant temperature of around 36 ºC. It has a pH value of 5.8 and its radon value is 1480 pCi/l. The water contains contains bicarbonate, sulphate, iron, and carbon dioxide, and also has radioactive properties.
It’s believed the water is effective for people with heart disease, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, stomach spasms, rheumatism, rickets, nerve and vascular diseases, as well as skin and eye problems. The temperature of the water also has a soothing effect.
Visiting the Antique Pool
The Antique Pool is situated between the Great Baths (now the Hierapolis Museum) and the Temple of Apollo. It’s the only natural thermal pool at Hierapolis visitors are allowed to enter. Adult admission is 380₺ per person (as of September 2024) in addition to admission to Hierapolis and Pamukkale.
There are changing rooms, lockers for an extra fee, toilets, a snack bar, and souvenir shops. Visitors must bring their own towels. Cameras and water shoes are not allowed in the pool. Expect lots of algae and big crowds.
Hierapolis Museum
The Hierapolis Museum (Hierapolis Müzesi) contains findings from the ancient city of Hierapolis and other nearby archaeological sites. Admission to the museum is included with a ticket to the site and it’s open daily.
Great Baths
The Hierapolis Museum has been housed in the city’s Great Baths, or Central Baths, since February 1, 1984. The Great Baths complex was probably built in the 2nd century. It was built near the source of the natural hot springs in the central part of the city.
The Great Baths were built of travertine blocks and measure roughly 100 x 140 meters. The walls were covered in marble and the eastern section contained a gymnasium with four rectangular rooms.
Sarcophagi and Statues Gallery
The Hierapolis Museum consists of three galleries. The first gallery, just inside the entrance gates, features sarcophagi and statues. The gallery is guarded by statues of two lions dated to the 2nd century BC during the Hellenistic period.
Some of the most beautiful examples of sarcophagi can be found in this gallery. Many were unearthed at the northern necropolis and there are also several important finds from Laodicea. Funerary stelae and statues are on display as well.
Small Artifacts Gallery
Next is the Small Artifacts Gallery. It includes finds from several different cities such as Hierapolis, Laodiceia, Colossae, and Tripolis, and items from the Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The age of the artifacts spans 4,000 years.
One section of the room is dedicated to Bronze Age finds from Beycesultan Höyük, which was discovered by James Mellaart in 1950. The site was excavated by Mellaart and Seton Lloyd (1902-1996) on behalf of the British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara from 1954 to 1959.
Hierapolis Theatre Gallery
The third and finally gallery at the Hierapolis Museum displays finds from the Hierapolis Theatre. These are original works that once decorated the theatre, many of which have been restored. Copies have been used in the reconstruction of the theatre.
The reliefs displayed around the walls depict Apollo and Artemis, festivals of Dionysus, and the coronation of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.
Statues in the gallery represent gods and goddesses including Hades, Triton, Apollo, Artemis, and Leto.
Another interesting feature of the gallery is the graffiti left on the walls by travelers over the years. Much of it was written in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in English, Greek, German, and French.
In the Area…
In the immediate vicinity of the Hierapolis Museum are a few minor points of interest. First, directly across from the entrance to the museum are the ruins of an unidentified building.
To the west near the top of the travertine terraces of Pamukkale is a small section of city walls. They open onto the terraces.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is a spectacular natural site below the archaeological site of Hierapolis. It’s a series of white travertine terraces formed by mineral water flowing from natural hot springs.
The water flows slowly down the hillside leaving small deposits of calcium carbonate that eventually crystalize into travertine. The formation is about 2,700 meters long, 600 meters wide, and 160 meters high.
Pamukkale translates to Cotton Castle in Turkish. Local legend has it that the travertine is solidified cotton left by the giants to dry.
History of Pamukkale
Pamukkale has been attracting tourists for thousands of years. During ancient Greek and Roman times, people were drawn to the site for the natural healing powers of the water.
In the 1960s, hotels were built atop the ruins of Hierapolis and directly on the terraces. They would drain the thermal waters directly into their swimming pools and caused damage to the terraces. A road was built over the terraces and motorcycles were allowed on the slopes.
When Pamukkale became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, the hotels were demolished and the road was removed and replaced with artificial pools. A small path allows visitors to walk up the hill, but the terraces themselves are off limits to prevent erosion, pollution, and further damage.
Visiting Pamukkale
Pamukkale is accessed on the same ticket granting entry to Hierapolis. It’s open daily. Visitors can walk up the terraces from the town or visit them at the top.
Lower Your Expectations!
Pamukkale is an extremely popular tourist destination. It’s sometimes the only reason people visit Hierapolis in the first place. There are often scores of huge coaches filled to capacity parked at the site, some driving as long as three or four hours, just for tourists to visit the terraces.
Most people visit at the top where the crowds can often be unbearable. This can quickly take away the enjoyment of such a beautiful natural phenomenon. My advice is to take your time and walk up from the town, which is what I did on my first visit in November 2011. Far fewer people take this route.
There’s a ticket booth and entrance to the archaeological site near the bottom of the terraces and it’s a fairly easy walk up. You’ll have a better opportunity to actually enjoy the natural beauty of Pamukkale rather than dodge selfie-taking tourists wearing rentable angel wings.
Another option is to avoid Pamukkale during high season. During low season, the site is less likely to be full, but even that’s a crapshoot these days.
Furthermore, if you’re expecting to see the artificial pools filled with beautiful blue water just like in the tourist brochures and Instagram posts, you’ll probably be disappointed. It’s very rare to see Pamukkale in all its glory as the water flow is controlled by the local authorities.
South Side of Hierapolis
There’s not much to see on the south side of Hierapolis, but it contains one of the three tourist entrances to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the south side of the city, a boardwalk leads visitors to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale as well as the Hierapolis Museum and Antique Pool. Following the path to the northeast leads to the theatre.
South Roman Gate
First of all, most visitors will pass through the South Roman Gate to gain entrance to the ancient city. The gate was made of travertine blocks and marble recycled from other structures. It was part of the city’s defensive system and is flanked by two rectangular towers. The South Roman Gate was at the southern end of Frontinus Street, which was the main street running through Hierapolis.
City Walls of Hierapolis
The south side of Hierapolis is the best opportunity to see what’s left of the city walls. The remainder of the walls sit mostly on the south and east boundaries of the city. The rest were demolished over the centuries for use in other buildings.
Hierapolis Gymnasium
Just inside the South Roman Gate is the gymnasium. It was built at the beginning of the 1st century and collapsed during an earthquake in the 7th century. It has not been fully excavated, but a few Doric columns have been re-erected.
The gymnasium was used for both the physical health and education of citizens. It was organized around a courtyard surrounded by Doric porticoes and had a length of at least 80 meters on the southern side.
Frontinus Street
Next to the gymnasium is an unexcavated section of Frontinus Street, which ran the length of the city from north to south. Much of the northern section of the street has been fully excavated.
South Byzantine Gate
Finally, on the southwest corner of Hierapolis is the South Byzantine Gate. It was built in the late 4th century under Theodosius I. It’s made of travertine blocks and reused building material including marble.
The South Byzantine Gate is flanked by two rectangular towers and contains reliefs of lions on either side of the arch. The chi rho symbol is carved into the keystone. A similar gate, the North Byzantine Gate, sits along Frontinus Street on the north side of the city.
Map of Hierapolis and Pamukkale
