Salt travertines overlooking the valley
Clockwise from top left: the theatre; a temple; the Agora (market place)
We trekked to the top of the salt travertine mountain and gleefully set about exploring the ancient ruined Roman city of Hierapolis that was awaiting our arrival….what
could be better?
It was quite quickly evident that those ancient Romans sure had a sense of style (as if there was any doubt). Hierapolis was basically perched on top of a large hill with a glorious view out over a valley below, with the hot springs just a short walk away.
It was quite quickly evident that those ancient Romans sure had a sense of style (as if there was any doubt). Hierapolis was basically perched on top of a large hill with a glorious view out over a valley below, with the hot springs just a short walk away.
As far as ruined Roman cities goes, this one was certainly up there
with some of the most interesting that we’ve seen. Evidence of the grid-like town
layout was still plain to see, with wide and sprawling boulevards giving a real
sense of scale as to how big and bustling the city would have once been.
Beyond that, we were literally walking through the pages of the
Bible, with a church having been established at Hierapolis during the time that
Paul was hanging out up the road at Ephesus, and Philip spending the last years
of his life there.
It really was quite a spine tingling experience. Even small things
like reflecting on the washing of feet became so much more real through
actually walking down a dusty Roman road on a scorching hot day.
By the end of the day, us Londoners were well and truly spent having
not seen so much sun for quite some time. Luckily for us we were able to go for
a dip in the thermal pools on our way back to the car which was a lovely way to
finish off our adventures in Pamukkale.
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