Qin Hongyuan
Journey to Turkey (xvi)
**Hierapolis: A Symphony of Splendor and Sorrow**
Hierapolis, the ruins of an ancient city meaning "holy city" in ancient Greece, is located on a hill two kilometers north of Pamukkale and is the remains of a small state founded by the remnants of the Pergamon dynasty.
During the glory days of the Roman Empire, it was a favorite place for emperors to be a royal family on the beach. As dignitaries and pilgrims flocked to the city, the city grew in size, and its wide streets, grand theaters, luxurious public baths, and hot springs became a symbol of the splendor of the era.
However, a catastrophic earthquake in the 17th century ruthlessly razed the ancient city, which was more than 2,000 years old. Today, we can only look through the ruins to trace and imagine its former glory.
Among the ruins of the old city, the large communal baths, the arena, the streets, the grand theater and the ancient cemetery are dilapidated. But the best-preserved remnants of the ancient city are the magnificent hot spring baths.
As a testament to history, it still attracts countless tourists today, and its charm has endured through the ages. Because of the minerals they are rich in, they are effective against many ailments, so countless people travel thousands of miles every day to experience the healing power of hot springs.
The most striking thing is the amphitheater. It is cleverly built with the help of the sloping slope of the mountain, and the entrance is located high up on the hill. From the outside, it appears to be a ruined section of the city, making it difficult to get a glimpse of it and easy to overlook.
However, once you step through the entrance, you will be greeted by a unique sight. The spiral lines of its steps seem to spin and fly up at any moment. One can't help but wonder about the dreamy scenes of ancient Greece opera here.
The Collegium is considered one of the most beautiful buildings left from Roman times. The 1,800-year-old theater with 50 rows of seats began construction in the second half of the 1st century AD and took about 150 years.
This is just my initial exploration of the ancient city, unfortunately time is limited, if I have the opportunity, I would like to stay here for a longer time to feel the story behind every brick and tile.
Write a seven-word poem today
Whispers of Time
The dream of the holy city is hidden in the mountains, and the ancient rhyme of the hot springs is thousands of years.
The ruins tell the past, and the years are long and sleepless.
Hierapolis, the ruins of an ancient city that means "holy city" in ancient Greece. ▼Fig
Side backlight to shoot the broken column. ▼Fig
The large backlight shoots the broken column. ▼Fig
Tree. ▼Fig
Shoot the arch bridge with the light. ▼Fig
Backlit arch bridge. ▼Fig
Arch. ▼Fig
Ancient avenues. ▼Fig
The castle is relatively well preserved. ▼Fig
Museum of Ruins. ▼Fig
Stone carvings of figures. ▼Fig
Stone carvings of figures. ▼Fig
The marble coffins excavated from the ancient cemetery, with their exquisite carvings, indicate the prominent position of the burial in society. ▼Fig
This is a complete version of the sarcophagus. ▼Fig
The sarcophagus head. ▼Fig
Sarcophagus side. ▼Fig
In front of the hot spring bath, I don't know what a three-meter-tall rooster is? ▼Fig
The gate of the thermal baths. ▼Fig
Every day, countless people travel thousands of miles to experience the healing power of hot springs. ▼Fig
The 2,000-year-old city was not destroyed by the war, but a major earthquake in the 17th century mercilessly reduced it to ruins. ▼Fig
Empty ruins. ▼Fig
The back of the Ancient Collegium. ▼Fig
The side of the Ancient Grand Theater. ▼Fig
The arc-shaped ladder of the ancient Grand Theater. ▼Fig
The front of the Ancient Grand Theater. ▼Fig
Cashier beauty. ▼Fig
Cheongsam sister. ▼Fig
Tourists take selfies. ▼Fig
An old man who is tired of walking. ▼Fig
I. ▼Fig
The eaves of the visitor center are incompatible with the monument site. ▼Fig
Editor: Yan Jingping "White Waves"