Laodicea Ancient City: It is located approximately 6 km from Denizli, which is the second largest city in the Aegean region. It is on the road to Pamukkale. The founder of the ancient city of Laodicea, which forms the common borders of many civilizations, is considered the second Antiochus. He named this city, of which he was the founder, after his own wife, Leodikeia. in Hellenic: The words Laos and Dike mean “victory of the people”. The meaning of Leodicea is defined as the “land of Laodicea”.
Laodicea Ancient City
In the results of the excavations in the ancient city, important finds such as ceramics and flints are found. Thus, it is understood that the first settlement preference of the ancient city was around the water source. The first artifacts found in the ancient city were found in the Lykos valley. Being the crossroads of many ancient civilizations shows that the most important source of income is trade. The source of income consists of textile, marble, livestock trade.
It is a very important religious center because it has one of the 7 churches of Anatolia. It has a special importance for Christianity as it has been a Holy Pilgrimage Center since the 4th century AD. Since its name is mentioned in the Bible and a revelation was sent on behalf of the Laodikeia church, it increases the interest in the church and the building has the feature of a pilgrimage church.
Among the important structures of the city of Laodicea that have survived to the present day; Anatolia’s largest stadium, 2 theaters, 4 bath complexes, 5 agora, 5 nymphaeum, 2 monumental entrance gates, temples, prestigious houses, churches and main streets are counted.
The ancient city is open between 09.00-17.00 every day except Mondays.
Laodicea Church
Laodicea Church: The Laodicea church, which was discovered as a result of the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Laodikeia in 2010, is located in the northeastern part of the ancient city on the side street that leaves the Syrian street and reaches the northern.
The church of Laodicea, which has a unique plan never seen before in the history of Christianity, has 11 semicircles, one facing east, five facing north and five facing south. The most important place of the church is the Naos, known as the holy room. This place is entered through two doors, one in the north section and the other in the south section. The holy room, which has a basilical plan, consists of three corridors. There are mosaic floors and geometric structures in the corridors. It is known that marble was used in the covering of the church walls and frescoes were used in the decorations.
It is the baptistery room, which is one of the most important places of the structure, where one of the oldest surviving marble-covered baptismal pools in the history of Christianity is located. Although the church was damaged in the earthquake in 494 AD, it was repaired, but it was completely destroyed in the next earthquake.
There are many buildings in the ancient city. It is one of the best ancient cities in Turkey.
