Denizli Hierapolis (Pamukkale) Archaeology Museum

Denizli Hierapolis (Pamukkale) Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Hierapolis is located on an area of 14,000 m2 in the Ancient City of Hierapolis. It is a collection of structures consisting of the Ancient Roman Bath, Gymnasium, and library. The construction of the Hierapolis Southern Bath (Great Bath Building), located in the southwest of the city, in the area opening to the travertine canals, was started in the time of Hadrian (117-138 A.D) and was completed in the time of Severius. (2nd century A.D) After the abandonment of the ancient city, the sediments accumulated by the water forming Pamukkale's white travertines raised the floor of the Roman Bath by 5 meters.

As a result of the restoration of the Roman Bath Structure in the Hierapolis Archaeological Site, which was made in the 1970s, the exhibition and arrangement of the artifacts found in the Hierapolis Excavations and brought from other ruins were completed, and it was opened on February 1, 1984, and serves as the Hierapolis Archeology Museum.

The Legend of Marsyas: According to mythology; Marsyas dares to enter a music contest with God Apollo. In the race, Apollo made the best music and defeated Marsyas. As a result, Marsyas' skin will be flayed for daring to enter a music contest with God Apollo. A Scythian is available for this mission.

In relief; Marsyas was tied to a pine tree by his hands, raising his arms. In front of him, a Scythian is sharpening his knife, and God Apollo is watching from behind. In the continuation of the relief, Apollo is crowned with laurel and two nymphs after defeating Marsyas. Apollo holds the palm of victory and celebrates the event and its success by having a drink in honor.

Hall of Sarcophagi and Statues: It consists mainly of artifacts from the excavations of Hierapolis and Laodikeia and brought from our other ruins. Among the artifacts are the reliefs of gladiator fights and bull fights unearthed by our directorate from the excavations in Tripolis Street of the Ancient City of Hierapolis, and the sarcophagi unearthed as a result of the rescue excavations in the Ancient City of Laodikeia; It is presented as the most beautiful artistic examples of the Roman Period.

Hall of Small Works: In this hall, BC. Small finds, the products of many civilizations since the 4th millennium B.C, are exhibited according to a certain chronology. Among the exhibited works; The Beycesultan Höyük near our Çivril District was excavated by the British Archaeological Institute between 1954-1959. Along with the terracotta pots, idols, and stone artifacts unearthed as a result of the excavation, there are terracotta oil lamps, glass artifacts, necklaces, and metal jewelry from the Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Periods.