VISITORS and RESEARCHERS

                       
Laodikeia was visited by travellers such as Thomas Smith (1671), Robert Chandler (1775), Spon-Wheeler (1678), Pococke (1745), Arundell (1828), and Laborde (1883). G. Weber (his first trip to Anatolia in 1883, his second in 1843) conducted the first archaeological research and produced the city plan. W. M. Ramsay (1895) conducted detailed research about the city. During 1961-1963 a French archaeological team from Quebec Laval University, Canada excavated at the Nymphaeum (Monumental Fountain) located at the corner at the side of the Colonnaded Main Street. In 1992 the Denizli Museum Directorate conducted a brief excavation at the Syrian Street (Main Street). In 1993-2000 an archaeological team from the University of Venice, Italy carried a survey for a very short period (10-15 days). In 2000 this work was conducted together with the Pamukkale University. In 2002 the Archaeological Department of Pamukkale University excavated at the Syrian Street (Colonnaded Main Street), whereas the Denizli Museum Directorate teams conducted excavations at the Bath-Basilica Complex.
Laodikeia is founded on a slightly rough terrain on a somewhat steep hill. The highest cod (elevation?) is at the second water distribution point measuring at 293.74 meters (Plan no: 26).
A railroad, which was opened to transportation in 1891, passes the ancient city at the west, southwest and northwest directions. Located to the north of the city is the Asopos (Gumus Cay) Stream, to the south the Kapros (Basli Cayi) Stream, and to the east the Lykos (Çürüksu) River. On the city coins Asopos and Kapras were symbolized as a wolf and a bear. In the Hellenistik Era, Laodikeia was designed on the Hippodamik (grid) plan. The devastating earthquakes had an impact on the building activities of the city in every period. Almost all the visible buildings in Laodikeia date from the Roman period and they are the products of the great building activity immediately following the great earthquake of A.D. 60.
The devastating earthquakes had an impact on the building activities of the city in every period. Almost all of the visible buildings in Laodikeia dated to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
In Laodikeia one can distinguish today on surface 2 theatres, 4 bath buildings, 3 agora, 4 city gates two of which with remains present, 4 monumental fountains, stadium, an assembly building, victory arches, 7 churches and colonnaded streets designed according to the Hippodomic town design; hence Laodikeia has an important place in Anatolian archaeology. Especially for the Early Byzantine period, as a city that has one of the oldest 7 churches and for the Christianity is a religious city where the 4th Ecumenical Council met.
Excavation of Laodikeia have been continued at the Syrian Colonnaded Street, Temple A, West Theatre, Nymphaeum A (Monumental Fountain) and Bath-Church by Pamukkale University Archaeology Teams (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Celal ŞİMŞEK, Head of Excavation).
The purpose of the Laodikeia excavations is to uncover the past of the ancient cities in the region, their restoration, protection, and the contribution to the recognition of the region and the country internationally and nationally. Hence, the number of native and foreign visitors and the length of their stay in Denizli will increase and tourism income will multiply. The region is rich in natural beauty and archaeological remains, and Laodikeia, Kolossai and Hierapolis have a great potential for religious tourism as sites of pilgrimage as well.
 

Fountain of Caracalla

RESEARCH AND EXCAVATIONS:

G. Weber (first trip to Asia Minor in 1833, the second in 1843) has provided information on the site and has drawn the first simple plan of the city. W. M. Ramsay who conducted research in the region in 1883-86 gave information on the city. In 1961-63 J. des Gagniers of Laval University of Quebec, Canada, directed excavations at the fountain, which was later published in detail. In later years G. E. Bean wrote about the city buildings. Researchers D. Magie, E. Akurgal, H. Yıldız, H. Malay, T. Corsten, C. Şimşek also provided information about the city. The Directorate of Denizli Museum in 1992 conducted an excavation at the main street. In 1994-2000 the Italian researcher G. Traversari carried out short-term surveys in the city, the results of which were published in summary in the Annual Publications of the Meeting of the Excavation Results published by the Ministry of Culture in Turkey. A separate volume titled Laodiceia di Frigia, Venezia, 2000 was published in Italy.