hierapolis Summary and Overview

sacred city, a city of Phrygia, where was a Christian church under the care of Epaphras (Col. 4:12, 13). This church was founded at the same time as that of Colosse. It now bears the name of Pambuk-Kalek, i.e., "Cotton Castle", from the white appearance of the cliffs at the base of which the ruins are found.

HIERAP'OLIS (sacred city),a city in Proconsular Asia, Col 4:13, near the river Lycus, and in sight of Laodicea, which was about 5 miles to the south. It stood on a high bluff, with a high mountain behind it. In the city was the famous temple of Pluto, remains of which are still to be seen. The ruins of the city are extensive, among which are the remains of temples, churches, a triumphal arch, a theatre, gymnasium, baths, and highly ornamented sarcophagi. Hierapolis was celebrated for its warm springs, which hold in solution carbonate of lime, depositing incrustations on anything with which the waters come in contact. It is now called Pambouk Kalessi.

Colossians 4:13. Associated as the seat of a church with the neighbouring Colossae and Laodicea; on a height between the rivers Lycus and Meander, within a few miles of one another; the three churches were probably all founded by Epaphras. Now Pambouk Kalessi. Hot calcareous springs are near, which have deposited curious encrustations. There is a frozen cascade, the surface wavy, as of water suddenly petrified. A mephitic cavern, Plutonium, was in ancient times connected with the worship of Cybele, from from whence the city was designated Hierapolis, "the sacred city."