Denizli

 


Denizli, Abundant in Cultural and Natural Treasures
As a result of its geographical location, hot springs and mild climate, Denizli has enjoyed continuous settlement since the Chalcolithic Age. So far, 19 ancient cities and abaout 1000 registered cultural values were discovered within the city limits.

Pamukkale, the locomotive engine of tourism
A unique beauty worldwide, a protected site both due to archaeological and natural treasures, Pamukkale is nestled in travertines that are the handiwork of thermal waters in thousands of years as well as the antique and holy city of Hierapolis, settled towards the north of ancient Salbacos mountains, in the skirts of Cokelez mountains. Pamukkale with its white travertines welcomes guests looking like a bride. Upon emerging from the source, thermal waters travel to the travertines through a 240-320 meter-long canal and from here, flows down to the travertine terraces where a partial deposit of 60-70 meters takes place. Springing out at 35-60 Celcius degrees, the water is high in calcium hydro carbonate and when it contacts oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide evaporate, leaving a depository of calcium carbonate and forming the travertines.

Hierapolis: the City of Amazonian Queen Hiera
The white city of Phrygia, one of the ancient cities of the East, was included in the Hierapolis UNESCO World Heritage List in both Natural and Cultural categories in 1988. The city was established by Eumenes II, King of Pergamon, circa early 2nd century B.C., and received its name from the Amazonian queen Hiera, the wife of Pergamon’s legendary founder, Telephos. The ancient city of Hierapolis is located 18 km north of the city center of Denizli and was named a Holy City in archaeological literature is due to the presence of many sanctuaries and other religious buildings in the city. It is believed that the city was founded here to reap the health benefits of thermal water.

Until the big earthquake during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero (60 A.D.), Hierapolis followed the Hellenistic principles of urbanization and preserved its original character. Located on a seismic belt, the city was greatly destroyed in the Nero period earthquake and had to be completely renovated. After back-to-back earthquakes, the city lost its Hellenistic texture and became a typical Roman city. Following the Roman Period, Hierapolis became an important hub in Byzantine times. This results from it being a center of Christianity (metropolis) from 4th century A.D. on and that Saint Philippe, who was one of Christ’s apostles, was murdered here circa 80 A.D.

Laodicea: Famous Antik City Where The Most İmportant Churches Of Asia Minor
The city of Laodicea, among UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites, was founded 6 km north of the city center of Denizli, in a geographically favorable spot to the south of River Lycos. The city is cited in ancient resources mostly as “Laodicea, the city by Lycos”. According to other ancient writings, the city was founded between 261-263 B.C. by Antiochos II and named after Laodiche, the wife of Antiokhos. Laodicea was one of the most important and famous cities of Anatolia by 1st century B.C. The colossal artwork found in the city dates to this period. In the time of Emperor Caracalla, a series of quality coins were issued in Laodicea. With the help of the people of Laodicea, many monuments were built in the city. The fact that one of the seven famous churches of Asiaminor was located here is a testament to the importance of Christianity in this area. A massive earthquake that took place in 60 A.D. destroyed the city, which was rebuilt thereafter, but it was finally deserted after the earthquake of 602 A.D. The city was famous for the fabric woven from the brown sheep’s wool raised in this area.

Tripolis; THE DWELLING PLACE OF PHYRIGIANS, KARIANS, and LYDIANS WHO WERE REPRESENTED IN THE ROMAN SENATE
The township of Buldan, 40 km to the city center of Denizli, is located on the hillside between Yenicekent District and River Menderes. The city, founded where Phrygia, Karia and Lydia intersected, was first named Apollonia in the Hellenistic Period, then Antoniopolis, but later it was changed to Tripolis because of its mixed population of Phrygians, Karians, and Lydians and was in existence until it was deserted in 7th century A.D. Tripolis was represented in the Roman Senate at the bishop level and sent senators to the senate, reaching its peak during the Roman Empire.

Colossae; ONE OF PHRYGIA’S SIX LARGEST CITIES
It is located 25 km east of Denizli city center, and 2 km north of the township of Honaz. Denizli’s Industrial Park is 16 kms into the Denizli-Ankara motorway and the road to Honaz from here goes through the city of Colossae. The ancient city was founded north of Mount Honaz (Cadmos), beside Aksu Creek. The city was right on the southern Orient Road that was in use since antiquity. It was one of the major hubs in Larger Phyrigia. According to historian Xenophon, Colossae was one of the six largest cities of Phrygia. During 1st century A.D., it was an important center of wool looming and weaving along with Laodicea.

Apollon Leirbenos ; THE MOST IMPORTANT TEMPLE IN ANATOLIA

This sacred spot was devoted to Apollon Lairbenos is located in the Bahadinlar District of Denizli’s Çal township, and it boasts a type of inscription that is not seen anywhere else in Anatolia: a katagraphe holds a very special place in the history of religions and means to “devote to God” certain people or assets.

Tabae; UNINTERRUPTED DWELLING SINCE THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD

Tabae, located 78 kms into the Denizli-Mugla motorway, looks like a nature-made castle. It sprawls 1 km south of the modern day township of Kale, but it used to lie within the Old Kale about 30 years ago. Tabae is a city-state founded in Anatolia following the death of Alexander the Great. Tabae enjoyed uninterrupted settlement from the Hellenistic Period to this day, issuing its own coins during the Hellenistic Period, silver coins followed by bronze.

Eumenia; THE CITY OF PERGAMON KING EUMENES

This ancient city is located on the Çivril-Dinar motorway by Işıklı District. The city was founded in the name of King Eumenes II.

Herakleia Salbace; MEDICAL DOCTORS OF ANTIQUITY

The Antique City of Herakleia is located within the borders of the city of Denizli, township of Tavas, Vakif district. Currently part of the ancient city lends to modern day settlement. On ancient coins, the name of the city is printed as HERAKLEOTON. As the name suggests, the city was founded in the name of Herakles the semi-God. It was famous for its medical doctors.

Dionysopolis; The City of Dionysus the God of Wine

The city of Dionysopolis is located near the Ortaköy District 8 km north of the township of Çal. It was founded during Syrian Kingdom’s period of Seleukos, later being dominated by the Kingdom of Pergamon. The general area was named after Dionysus, the God of Wine, and it is famous for its grapes that are perfect for winemaking.

Attuda; the city on the Border of Karia and Phyrigia

This city is located within the borders of the township of Sarayköy, 17 km southwest of the center. In the antique period, it was a border city between Karia and Phyrigia. It has played an important role between the cities in the valley of Lykos and Aphrodisias trade, economic, and artistic relations. Antiquity resources inform that the cult of Men existed in Attuda, a temple was built in the name of this god, and a statue of the god Men on a horse was present inside the temple. Additionally, antiquity historians write about the statues of Zeus, Apollon, Dionysus, and Asklepios, and Arthemis Anaitis cult also existed in Attuda.

Apollonia Salbace; The City of the Temple of Apollon and Inscriptions

It is located inside the Medet District on a flat plain 7 km west of Tavas township. The findings from the mound indicate that first settlement dates back to the Bronze Age and has continued every since. The foundations and inscriptions of the Temple of Apollon from the Hadrianus Period have survived to this day. The city issued its own coins between 1stcentury B.C. and 1stcentury A.D. and that the coins have god motifs inscribed.

Other Ancient Cities in Denizli Sebastopolis:located 19 km south of the township of Tavas, 2 km east of Kızılca District.Lounda:between Mahmutgazi and Aşağıseyit Districts of the township Çal.Trapezapolis:located in the township of Babadağ, Districts of Bekirler and Boludüzü.Attyochorium:in Çakırlar District of the township of Çal,Mossyna:Gözler District of the township of Pamukkale,Motello:Yeşiloba District of the township of Bekilli,Sala:township center of Güney,Aetos:township of Buldan, District of Derbent are other known ancient cities in the area.

2000 year-old Roman Bath, Pamukkale Museum of Archaeology

The Roman Bath, one of the biggest buildings in the Hierapolis Antique City in the Pamukkale Historic Site has served as the Hierapolis Museum of Archaeology since 1984. In the Hierapolis Bath, three enclosed spaces and the library on the eastern side as well as the open spaces known as the gymnasium were designated as museum exhibit spaces. Many large and small artifacts are on display at the museum that consists of three enclosed halls. Mostly marble and stone pieces are exhibited in the outdoor exhibit area. The Hall of Statues and Sarcophagi, the Hall of Small Finds, and the Hall of Theatre Finds constitute the three parts of the museum.

Ethnography Museum: Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s House in Denizli

The museum building is located in the city center and was built towards the end of 19th century. The building was used as the political party’s quarters in the first years of the Republic and Ataturk the Great Leader was hosted in this house for one night when he visited Denizli in February 4, 1931. Ethnographic artifacts are on display in the first floor of the museum. On the second floor, Ataturk-related artifacts are exhibited in two rooms and the rest is decorated as a traditional Denizli house.

Historic Kayı Marketplace and Mosque;

There is a minaret in the area that used to be known as the Kayı Marketplace, near Şapcılar District on the Süller District road of the township of Çal. Kayı Marketplace constituted the Seljuk-Byzantine border in 13th century and it was named after the Kayı Tribe, a Turkish tribe where the founders of Ottoman Empire also belonged. Kayı Marketplace grew immensely in the 17th and 18th centuries and a foundation was started for the mosque, caravanserai, and baths built in the marketplace area. Kayı Marketplace is one of the best examples of traditional markets that started in the Seljuk period and developed to carry on through Ottoman times, and was moved to the township of Çal in the 1940s.

Historic Kaleiçi Market;

Kaleiçi Market started out as the first place of establishment of Denizli. The castle is dated to circa 1243-1250 A.D., however, the unearthing of Roman and Byzantine artifacts suggests that the people of Laodicea settled in this area after leaving their earthquake-struck homes and used the material from a castle or similar building to rebuild this castle. Kaleiçi is now Denizli’s oldest shopping area where goods such as textiles, shoes, copper and iron artisan products are traded.

 

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