Hierapolis Photo Album

Colossians 4:13

I have an article on "Hierapolis in the Lycus River Valley"
in the February, 2009, Biblical Insights. These photos
are intended to supplement that article. Also notice some
posts at Ferrell's Travel Blog.
Limestone formations at Hierapolis. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Limestone Formations. These limestone formations cascade down the hillside below the site of ancient Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale in Turkey).

Mellink says the city "is famous for its continuing geological transformation. Hot mineral springs issue from the rock in the city, and the waters streaming down the cliffs have deposited limestone in large formations, the surface of which is made a gleaming white 'frozen cascades'" (Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible II:601)
Arch of Domitian and Roman Street. The Arch of Domitian is a monumental gateway erected by Julius Frontinus, proconsul of Asia, A.D. 82-83. Domitian was Emperor of Rome from A.D. 81-96. Christians throughout Asia Minor were affected by the policies of Domitian. I think the Book of Revelation addresses issues arising from these problems. Arch of Domitian and Roman Street. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
Hot springs at Hierapolis. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins. Columns among the hot springs. The hot springs caused the city to be known for its textile industry. These were guilds of wool workers, carpet weavers, and purple dyers. The hot medicinal springs (95 degrees farenheit) attracted visitors.

Map of the Lycus River Valley. Detailed maps of the area around Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae are not usually found in maps found in Bibles, or even atlases. I used Bible Mapper to make this map showing the three cities of the valley. The Lycus river begins south east of Colossae, flows through the valley to join the Meander River. The Meander flows west to the Aegean Sea at Miletus.

A larger map of the general area, also made with Bible Mapper, can be downloaded from BibleAtlas.org.
Visit biblicalstudies.info, bibleworld.com, and Ferrell's Travel Blog.