Historical landmarkTürkiye · TR
Aziz Phlippos Martyrion'u
High on a ridge above the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, a few kilometres from Pamukkale's white terraces, stands the Martyrion of Saint Philip — a hilltop Early Christian sanctuary built to mark where, by long tradition, one of Christ's twelve apostles was martyred. The octagonal memorial church is the most prominent Christian monument at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, yet it sits apart from the theatre and agora, so far fewer travellers reach it than the crowds that fill the cotton terraces below. What makes the place special is the combination of architecture, faith and view. You climb a monumental stairway to a square complex whose centrepiece is an eight-sided church symbolising eternity, surrounded by rooms once used by pilgrims who came to sleep and pray for healing. The open ruins, the sweeping panorama over the plain and the relative quiet make this a rewarding detour for anyone exploring Hierapolis.