One of the main attractions in all of Turkey is Pamukkale and the associated Ruins of Hierapolis. First founded by the Attalid kings of Pergamom at the end of the 2nd century B.C as a spa town, Pamukkale means cotton cliffs. Ceded to Rome in 133 B.C it became a major cultural center, despite being destroyed by an earthquake in 60AD.
The best preserved Roman theater in the world, and still an actively used stage! I apologize for the pano, I hurriedly took the pictures for it between tour groups and didn’t do a very good job.
The remains of a Roman graveyard have since become the foundation for St Philips (St Philip the Apostle) Church and Martyrium, to commemorate his death at the hands of snake worshippers in the same spot in 80AD. Apparently until 2011 it was assumed his death at this location was a myth, but archeologists unearthed his tomb inside the grounds of the Church lending some strong credence to the story.
Some pretty awesome views on a beautiful sunny day!
I decided the scenery, weather, and history of the place made for the perfect location to ask Ustadza to marry me.
She of course said yes, and was almost literally glowing.
The remains of St Philip Martyrium. It was built in a circle on the sight where St Philip is said to have been crucified upside down after he tried to convert a cult of snake worshippers.
And some carvings on what used to be the sealing of St Philip Church.
Walking back down to see Pamukkale we rescued a turtle who was trapped in a long stretch of walled sidewalk. He was mad as hell and hissing when I picked him up, but I think he is much happier in the grass outside the walls.
Pamukkale itself is a large calcite formation that has built up over the centuries into a series of small pools. While not hot tub hot, they are plenty warm enough to be enjoyable even in the cold breeze.
And lastly a couple of the cats of Pamukkale
