Denizli famous with roosters, has rich history and culture. Denizli is a tourism
center to be seen with its Hierapolis and Laodikeia, Tripolis, antic cities, hot
springs and Pamukkale which is unique in the world with its travertines.
MUSEUMS AND ANCIENT CITIES
Hierapolis Archeology Musuem : One of the biggest buildings of Hierapolis
antique city,Roman Bath has been giving service as Hierapolis Archeology Musuem
since 1984.
At the museum, besides the creations engraved from Hierapolis city, traces of
Laodikeia, Colossai, Tripolis, Attuda, Lycos (Çürüksu) Valley cities can be
found. Moreover, important part of the museum consists of archeological
creations unearthed at Beycesultan Tumulus which presents the best samples of
Bronze Age. Pieces of art revealed from some of the settlements within Karia,
Psydia and Lydia regions are also collected and exhibited in Hierapolis Museum.
Open hours to visit: Summers: 08.00 - 19.00, Winter: 08.00 - 17.00 (except
Mondays)
Tel :( 258) 272 20 34
Atatürk Ethnography Museum : Located at the city center ,the building currently
serves as a museum, the construction date of which is not certain. At the upper
floor of the museum, ethnographic cultural assets such as clothes, jewelers,
house furniture, guns, rugs, carpets majority of which are remained from Ottoman
Period are on exhibit. Moreover in the room where Atatürk rested during his
visit to Denizli, there are a wradrobe, bedstead adorned with brass,sofa and a
work table in baroque style.
Open hours to visit: Summers: 08.00 - 19.00, Winters: 08.00 - 17.00 (except
Mondays)
Tel : (258) 241 08 66
Tripolis: It is at the 40 km north of Denizli city center. It is built on the
slopes between Büyük Menderes River and Yenicekent Town,Buldan county, east from
Yenicekent town. Tripolis one of the cities in Lydia region was a trade,
agriculture and border center as the junction point between Karya and Frigia. It
was one of the richest cities of region with its architecture and maner of
establishment. It is estimated that city build by Bergama Kingdom. Best samples
of monument buildings were built during 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries. Mentioning
of the nameTripolis in the list of the bishops of the Lydia in Nikea council in
325 AC, means that city was in the condition of episcopacy.
Tripolis Buildings
Theater: It is at the city center and built with Roman construction style and in
a suitable way for formation of area.
Public Bath: It takes place approximately 200 m. east of the theater. It is
located at the outer side of the city ramparts.Outer walls are partly survived.
Castle and Ramparts: Tripolis surrounded by ramparts during Late Roman and
Byzantine Period. Built on sloping grounds, ramparts of the city were supported
by bastions, watchtowers and thick walls in some parts.
Necropolis: It is at the east and south slopes of the ramparts. In this place
rock tombs, graves with podiums and tombs can be seen.
Colossae : It is located at 25 km south of Denizli city and 2 km north of Honaz
County. It is on the south roadway that has been used since Ancient times. It is
one of the most important centers placed in Great Frigia. It is one of the 6
biggest cities of Frigia according to Ksenephon.
There is a castle ruin remained from Ottoman Period. Ruins of Colossae antic
city, an Acropolis, can be seen around tumulus hill and surrounding areas. At
north of tumulus, there are tombs engraved to rock to be built as room and house
type.
Herakleia Salbace : City is in the borders of Vakıf Village which is 10 km north
west of Tavas county, Denizli city. Important buildings are ramparts surrounding
the city and stadium belonging to Roman Period.
Artemis and Leto : It is at approximately 4 km east of Herakleia Salbace antique
city and 1 km north east of present Tavas - Kızılcabölük Town, built on a place
named Ören Sırtı (ruin ridge) and Kocapınar locality. Perched on the ridges of
Babadağ Mountain with its rectangular shape,Hieron has relieves on its surface
that figure out the mythological scenes about Artemis, Apollo, Pan, Dionysus and
Hercules.
MOSQUES AND TOMBS
Acıpayam Yazır Mosque : According to the inscription on the entrance gate of the
Mosque, it was built at the year of 1801. Mosques' walls which are very rich and
interesting in terms of decoration, are adorned with 3 lined panels of pictures.
Boğaziçi Mosque : The mosque was built during Seljuk Period in Baklan county,
Boğaziçi town. It is inside the wooden columned type of mosques. Rich and
various wooden patterns by means of decorative perspective can be seen.
Tombs : Servergazi Tomb (Yeşilköy), Mehmet Gazi Tomb (at Big grave yard), Fatma
Hanım (Yıldız) Tomb (at Big grave yard), Ahi Sinan Tomb, Mahmut Gazi Tomb,
Yatağan Baba Tomb ve Hüsamettin Bey Tomb are main tombs that are to be seen in
Denizli.
INNS AND CARAVANSERAIS
Akhan Inn : It is 7 km from Denizli, and located on Denizli - Afyon highway.
Caravanserai was built between the years of 1253 - 1254. In one of the two
inscription of the caravanserai, name and reputations of II. İzzettin Keykavus
are described. Hanım portal (corona gate)is magnificient with its geometrical
and pastel adornments. It has dense embellishment with Deer, sphinxes, and bird
shaped figures, palm, and plants shaped motifs.
Çardakhan Caravanserai : It is located outside the Çardak county center.
According to its inscription, it was built during I. Alaaddin Keykubad Period,
at the year of 1230. It is a caravanserai having the properties of Sultan Inns.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Çizmeli (Yenice) Thermal : It is in the borders of Yenicekent that 16 km far
away to Buldan county. It is at the outskirts of Menderes River and accessible
through passing the Tripolis antic city ruins. It has good effects on some of
the health problems such as Rheumatism, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, skin
disease, and hemorrhoids.
Gölemezli Çamur Thermal : It is near the Gölemezli village depended to Akköy
County. It is formed with 4 springs. Each spring has different quality. First
one uses as mud bath. It used for curative effects on skin diseases.
Babacık (Kabaağaç) Thermal : It is at the Kaabaağaç Village 3 km away from Tekke
köyü hot spring, Sarayköy county.
Tekkeköy Thermal : It is near the Village at Sarayköy County. It is 20 km away
from Sarayköy, and hot waters springs from various places. Public Bath remains
from Rome period contains pool and dressing rooms. Hot spring waters has
curative effects on rheumatism, skin, gynecological and urethra diseases.
Kızıldere Hot Spring : It springs from red colored stones, 11 km away from
Sarayköy Village. The complex includes a two domed turkish bath(hamam), two
bathing place, pool and dressing rooms. It is good for rheumatism and weariness.
GEOGRAPHY
Though located in Aegean Region,Denizli is not totally effected with the Aegean
climate. Instead, due to its being placed on the transition point between coast
line and the inner parts, Denizli to a certain extent displays a terrestrial
climate. Denizli province is open to the winds coming from the sea because of
the perpendicular extension of the mountains. Winter months are warm and rainy.
HISTORY
Denizli city was established 6 km north of the present location of the city,
within the neighbourhood of Eskihisar Village. The city was built by II Antiokos
for the name of his wife between the years of 261 - 246 B.C and gave its name to
Laodikeia. This name of the city had been used till the invasions of the
Muslim.The current name of the city Denizli, once Tonguzlu, has taken its form
through an evolutionary process. Later Persians, Great Alexander, Romans and
Byzantine, Seljuks, Govermentals and Ottomans took control of the city. After
Turks conquered Denizli and its environs,the center of the city became Kaleiçi
due to its rich water resources.
WHERE TO EAT
Authentic cuisine of the city includes pirinç çorbası (rice soup), keşkek, kuru
fasulye (haricot bean), chickpea, sarma, dolma, bulgur pilavı, kabak (vegatable
marrow), soğan yahnisi (meat stew with onions).
WHAT TO BUY
All Denizli city textiles are very famous with patterned, colorful silver like
woolen silk clothes, and other fabrics especially peculiar to Buldan and shops
exhibit and sell these products.
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
- Visiting natural wonders of unique travertines, curative hot spring of
Pamukkale which are renowned for thier rolein healing lots of diseases; moreover
visiting thermal springs such as Karahayıt and Yenice,
- Seeing Hierapolis, Laodikeia, Colossae, Tripolis and Heraclaia settled by
various civilizations, and holy places of antique age,
- Going to an important shopping center Kaleiçi, and visiting Babadağlılar
shopping mall placed at city center for buying towel, bathrobe and other textile
products,
- Making picnic at Çamlık promenade placed on the slopes of Mount Karcı, a place
unique with its air, water and panorama,
PAMUKKALE
The stunning white calcium pools, which cling to the side of a ridge, have long
been one of the most famous picture postcard views of Turkey. Pamukkale,
literally meaning “cotton castle”, is also the site of the ancient city of
Hierapolis of which there are many interesting ruins, and is a very popular
destination for a short visit.
Pamukkale was formed when a spring with a high content of dissolved calcium
bicarbonate cascaded over the edge of the cliff, which cooled and hardened
leaving calcium deposits. This formed into natural pools, shelves and ridges,
which tourists could plunge and splash in the warm water.
Hotels were springing up from the 1970s to cater for the large influx of
tourists, and shortly afterwards UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. But
by the 1990s, this took its toll on the state of the calcium pools and
restrictions were placed on these travertine terraces. Many hotels were knocked
down, visitors are only allowed on major paths around the sites, and must remove
footwear to stand on the calcium deposits. This seems to have been a successful
move, as the water supply is now used for preservation and some of the damaged
calcium deposits have been strengthened.
Climate
The summers are hot and dry, and winters warm and rainy.
MUSEUMS
Hierapolis Archeology Museum
The old Roman Baths, one of the largest structures in Hierapolis, has been the
Archaeological Museum since 1984. Inside are exhibits from excavations of the
area.
The ancient city of Hierapolis, the original site of Pamukkale, was known as
Holy City in archaeological literature because of the abundance of temples and
other religious structures in the area. Although there is limited information on
the founding of the city, it is known that Eumenes II founded it and named it
after Bergama’s mythical founder, Hiera, who was the wife of Telephos. It was an
important centre during the Roman and Byzantine periods, and a centre of
Christianity since the 4th century.
Principal Remnants
Main Street and Doors
The colonnaded main street, 1km in length, divides the city into two sections
from end to end. At both ends are monumental doors outside the Byzantine
ramparts because huge sections of the doors were constructed during the Roman
era. On the South Byzantine Door, dating back to 5 BC, is an epitaph dedicated
to Emperor Dominatian. The North Byzantine Door dating back to the same period
is at the junction between the road and the ramparts.
Ramparts
The city was encircled with walls around the north, east and south, in the 5th
century BC. 24 square towers were added, but the majority of these have since
collapsed. Of the four entrances, two are the monumental doors and other others
are small.
Great Turkish Bath Complex
Now part of the Pamukkale Museum and south of the Thermals Baths, the layout of
the Roman Baths is typical of the era: A wide courtyard is at the entrance,
through which is a rectangular area with large halls on both sides. There is
evidence suggesting that the interior’s huge walls were covered with marble. At
the north and south of the main complex are two main halls essentially used for
the private use of the Emperor, and for ceremonies. The remains of the baths
date back to 2nd century BC, and the area is now covered with marble and a large
section is part of the Pamukkale Museum.
Apollion Temple
Near the Museum are the foundations of the Temple, constructed on the Plutonium
spring and dedicated to Pluto, god of the underworld. It still gives off deadly
poisonous gases and in front of the temple, a grate has been installed over the
underground entrance to the spring to prevent inquisitive visitors. It was the
site of an ancient religious cave, where Apollo met the mother goddess of
Cybele, and sources suggest that she descended into the cave without being
affected by the toxic fumes. The upper parts of the Temple date back to the 3rd
century, and is accessible through a wide staircase.
Theatre
The restored Roman theatre dates back to the 2nd century and the stage buildings
and elaborate reliefs are in exceptionally good condition. Construction began in
62 AD by Flavius two years after a large earthquake, and completed in 206 AD. It
once had a capacity of around 12,000, and adorned with columns and statues which
were unearthed during excavations. On the backstage walls are marble
bas-reliefs. The theatre is still the venue for the annual International
Pamukkale Song Festival in June, during which 7000 spectators can be seated.
Churches
In the city centre are a cathedral, a church with pillars, and two other
churches belonging to the 6th and 7th centuries, with smaller chapels at the
northern end of the city.
Nekropol
The necropolis, in the northern end of the old centre, is the largest in Asia
Minor and continues along both sides of the road for nearly 2km. Limestone and
marble were both used during the construction of the graves, although marble was
more common for the tombs. The northern necropolis includes characteristics of
tombs, graves and monuments, which date back to early Christianity. The tombs
that have architectural characteristics of houses are considered the most
valuable parts of the necropolis.
Laodikeia
Founded on the southern back of the Curuksu River, the site of ancient
Laodiceia, or Laodikya, is 13km south of Pamukkale. According to ancient
sources, the city was established by Antiochus in 261-263 BC, and named after
his wife.
This was one of the most important and renowned cities of Anatolia in the first
century BC, and the majority of works of art here belonged to this period. The
Romans put great importance to Laodikya and declared it as the centre of Cybria.
The whole area contains the largest stadium in Asia Minor, a gymnasium and baths
complex, and the foundations of an Ionic temple. The region contains one of the
seven known churches of Asia Minor, which indicates the high esteem in which
Christianity was placed. A destructive earthquake levelled the city in 60 AD.
Structures of Laodikeia
Grand Theatre
Constructed in typical Roman architectural style, the Grand Theatre is in the
northern area of Laodikya. Although the stage has been completely destroyed, the
areas for the orchestra and audience are in good condition, and had a capacity
of around 20,000.
Small Theatre
300m northwest of the Grand Theatre, this had a capacity of 15,000 and was
constructed in Roman style. The stage has completely collapsed, and there is
slight damage elsewhere to the interior.
Stadyum and Gymnasium
Built in 79AD, the stadium is measures 350m x 60m. Having the architectural
properties of an amphitheatre, it has 24 rows of seating although significant
parts of its have since been destroyed. According to an inscription unearthed
during excavations, Proconsul Gargilius constructed the gymnasium in the 2nd
century, as a dedication to Emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabina.
Monumental Fountain
Located on the main street, the Monumental Fountain is a Roman structure with
two pools and carved shelves on the walls, and restored during the Byzantine
period.
Temple of Zeus
Lying between the small theatre and the monumental fountain, the Temple of Zeus
is located on the east of the colonnaded street.
Grand Church
It was constructed on the south of the columned street adjacent to it. Only some
parts on which the temple was perched have still being erected.Main entrance is
on the west part.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Karahayıt Thermal Spring
The waters of this spring, which is part of the Pamukkale system, is 5km south
of Pamukkale and considered to be good for the heart, hypertension, rheumatism,
sciatica, lumbago and skin diseases.
Pamukkale Thermal and Mineral Springs
The lime solution in the water, which comes from the travertine pools 18km from
Pamukkale, has therapeutic qualities that have been acknowledged for centuries.
Religious ceremonies and festivals have been performed around the source of the
spring, and it was a popular destination for wealthy and powerful people who
came to be cured of their ailments.
Don't Leave Without
Visiting the ancient cities of Hierapolis and Leotikeia,
Seeing the colours reflected in the travertine pools at sunrise and sunset,
