Hierapolis

Hierapolis (Greek: 'holy city') was the ancient Greco-Roman city on top of hot springs located in south western Turkey near Denizli.

Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hot springs there have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BCE, and people came to soothe their ailments, with many of them retiring or dying here. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, including the Sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos.The great baths were constructed with huge stone blocks without the use of cement, and consisted of various closed or open sections linked together. There are deep niches in the inner section of the bath, library, gymnasium and other closed or open locations. The complex, which was constructed in the 2nd century BCE, constitutes a good example of vault type architecture. The complex is now an archaeological museum.

Geography

Hierapolis is located adjacent to Pamukkale.<!----(could say something like this somewhere I guess. Maybe history?---At one time vendors from the city intruded upon the historic site, but these have been eliminated from the area of the ruins. The loca city is no longer contiguous with the historic area, now protected from encroachment by the federal government-------->

History

For the Geologic history, see Pamukkale#Origin.

There are only a few historical facts known about the origin of the city. No traces of the presence of Hittites or Persians have been found. The Phrygians built a temple dedicated to Hieron,...
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