Hierapolis and Pamukkale

One of the most unforgettable stops on my journey through Turkey was the ancient city of Hierapolis, resting above the surreal white terraces of Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish. The terraces, formed over millennia by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside, create an otherworldly landscape.

Founded in the 2nd century BCE by the Attalid kings of Pergamon, Hierapolis thrived under Roman rule from 133 BCE. Romans flocked here to bathe in the hot springs, believed to heal illnesses and promote longevity. The ruins reflect its status as a Roman spa city: the grand 12,000-seat theater, colonnaded streets, sprawling bathhouses, and the vast necropolis—the largest in Anatolia with over 1,200 tombs.

Hierapolis also became a center for early Christianity. Apostle Philip was believed to have been martyred here in the 1st century CE, and his tomb made the city an important pilgrimage site during the Byzantine era.

Despite several massive earthquakes, including a devastating one in 60 CE, Hierapolis was rebuilt many times before being abandoned in the Middle Ages.

Today, Hierapolis-Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors the rare experience of exploring ancient ruins while gazing over the shimmering travertine pools. It’s a place where natural beauty and human history flow together in the most unforgettable way.