The Roman theatre is the highlight of Hierapolis, dramatically sitting uphill from the site and overlooking the ruins and mountains beyond. The stage area, with its decorative panels, and 12,000-spectator capacity seating tiers have been carefully restored. It was built in two stages by the emperors Hadrian and Septimius Severus.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.13 MILES
This ancient spa city's location atop Pamukkale's tourist-magnet travertines is quite spectacular. Founded as a curative centre around 190 BC by Eumenes…
0.39 MILES
The World Heritage–listed saucer-shaped travertines (or terraces) of Pamukkale wind sideways down the powder-white mountain above the village, providing a…
26.69 MILES
Added to Unesco's World Heritage List in 2017, this remote site in the Anatolian hinterland trumps many of Turkey's ancient sites for its sheer scale and…
6.48 MILES
Laodicea was once a commercial city straddling two major trade routes, famed for its black wool, banking and medicines. Cicero lived here for a time and…
Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle
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The extraordinary octagonal Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle at Hierapolis is built on the site where it's believed that St Philip was martyred. The…
0.34 MILES
Housed in former Roman baths, this excellent museum exhibits spectacular sarcophagi from nearby archaeological site Laodicea and elsewhere; small finds…
0.22 MILES
The foundations of the Temple of Apollo at Hierapolis remain today. Once the heart of the city, this was where people came to consult the temple's oracle…
0.87 MILES
The necropolis (cemetery) at Hierapolis rambles across the hills and is one of the most fascinating parts of the ancient city ruins. The path through the…
Nearby Pamukkale attractions
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This ancient spa city's location atop Pamukkale's tourist-magnet travertines is quite spectacular. Founded as a curative centre around 190 BC by Eumenes…
0.22 MILES
The foundations of the Temple of Apollo at Hierapolis remain today. Once the heart of the city, this was where people came to consult the temple's oracle…
0.29 MILES
The first monument you come to if you enter Hierapolis at the south gate is this 5th-century travertine block and marble gate.
0.29 MILES
Hierapolis' scant Byzantine church ruins are a bit of a jumble and difficult to decipher. They're behind the museum.
5. Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle
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The extraordinary octagonal Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle at Hierapolis is built on the site where it's believed that St Philip was martyred. The…
0.31 MILES
Only a few Doric columns remain from Hierapolis' 1st-century gymnasium, which was one of the social hubs of the ancient city. An earthquake in the 7th…
0.31 MILES
This entrance gate to Hierapolis is about 2.5km up the hill from Pamukkale village.
8. Hierapolis Archaeology Museum
0.34 MILES
Housed in former Roman baths, this excellent museum exhibits spectacular sarcophagi from nearby archaeological site Laodicea and elsewhere; small finds…