Basilica Bath / Roman Bath

Abstract

Pamukkale is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey, in the ancient region of Phrygia. The City of Hierapolis was established within the site of Pamukkale ("Cotton-Palace", in Turkish) probably circa 197?159 BC, and was named after Hiera, wife of Telephos, the founder of Pergamon. Circa 133 BC, the city was annexed to the Roman Empire. Circa 17 AD, Hierapolis was destroyed by an earthquake. The city was rebuilt circa 60 AD and enjoyed prosperity during the 2nd-3rd centuries AD and in Byzantine times it became the seat of a diocese. This structure, located at the north of the site, just south of the Necropolis, was originally built as a Bath Complex circa 2nd-3rd century AD. Converted into a Christian Church circa 5th-6th century AD, the building had a stuccoed vaulted ceiling and the walls in the halls were covered with marble slabs.