Hierapolis: a city encased in stone

Hierapolis - modern Pamukkale, Turkey - was built over hot springs. During the Middle Ages, these encased much of the city in gleaming travertine.

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[lloydritchey]

Thank you for making accessible the work of our ancestors in this format. Thousands of hours of reading is no substitute for visceral experience. It's a tragedy to be stripped of one's past. Thank you again for these small acts of resurrection & reconnection.

[markstott]

I visited in 1993. Even with quality sunglasses I ended the day with a minging headache from how bright it was. It was fun visiting the Roman ruins and cemetery.

[Wyattinous]

Even after all these years these structures are still so beautiful. I wonder how these places would have looked when they were at they're most complete, when people used these spaces the most in they're prime. I also love how people will always occupy hot springs and freshwater pools, something humans will always have in common no matter what the time period is 🤽♨️ Another wonderful video 🏛️❤

[flywheel]

They came, they saw, they built, everywhere.

[KimberlyPerrotis]

This video combines my two great interests, geology (I’m a geologist) and ancient history.

[Reginmund]

This was a true blast from the past (in more ways than one). Hierapolis was the first ancient site I ever visited, back in 2001. I remember running to the Roman theatre as soon as I saw its outline, even though it was nearly 50 degrees celsius. I had only seen stuff like that in movies.

Btw this is not far from the even more impressive site of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient Greek cities. Since you don't already have a video on Ephesus on your channel, I'm kind of expecting you to go there next.

[mehmetyanilmaz]

Dr. Ryan, thank you for delightful, succinct, and highly informative video about Pamukkale.

[hypercomms]

I remember 1987, hitchhiking around Turkey, and camping and sleeping out under the stars amongst the Roman ruins at the top of Pamukkale, Turkey... The things that one does in their 20s... Now camping for me is a four star Hotel!

[fubar]

Thank you for your videos, I very much appreciate your work.

[s.thomas]

Many thanks again ! As usual, I love the format where the presentation is done objectively. Very interesting and informative.

[TooLittleInfo]

I first learned about this place when I spotted a massive patch of bright white while looking at Turkey on google maps. I zoomed in out of curiosity and was blown away by the street view/photospheres of the place. Last year i finally made it there, and it was truly incredible. What I wasn't prepared for, though, was how large the entire site was. I didn't even make it to many parts, like I missed out on seeing the acropolis and I think there was also a smaller theatre that was set in the hills. I didn't know that it was all encased in travertine before, what a cool tidbit of info

[jelletje]

THANKS for this, I looked for a good video on these a few years ago and now we finally get this one. :)

[choryferguson]

Fascinating. Thank you for this look into such an interesting place!

[krishead]

Did anyone else notice the angel just chilling in the hot spring?

[gerhard]

Been here also in 1987. As a 14 y/o i sat on top of the theater, enjoying the view in the wind. My mother made a photograph of that moment. We went there after bathing in the Pamukkale white terrace baths.

[tomhutchins]

What a beautiful and unique site. I was rather amused to find some aspects of the site very familiar: the encrusted streets, the gate to the underworld and several of the structures are extremely similar to features in the game "Elden Ring": it's always fun to see how these ancient sites still inspire people today.

[hermitlifeinthemountainsub]

Beautiful places like this should be appreciated. As such, I have chosen to forego counter tops made of beautiful slabs of rock. I kept imaging mud slides wiping out villages of precious life. So I made resin counter tops that look just like rock. They are beautiful! Stone Coat is the best!

[cordeliaadams]

Thank you, this video is very enjoyable.

[WilsonEywlkyutbe-sb]

Oh, to have a set a butterflied tiles in with Roman column inclusions would make a fantastic bathroom towel set

[MrDecelles]

still amazed that these spots are so desolate, so dry and so rocky.