Hierapolis was a health spa, and as at most health spas, even today, the visitors coming to take the waters wanted entertainment when they weren’t soaking wet.
The city’s great Roman theater, capable of seating more than 12,000 spectators, provided the perfect venue.
Up the hill about a 10-minute walk from the Sacred Pool, the theater is situated just right to take full advantage of the city’s superb hillside location and spectacular view.
The structure is in pretty good condition. Italian artisans were engaged in 1972 to restore some of the fancy marble decorative stone, and the stage and seating were renovated. The stage wall scaena) is partially ruined.
—by Tom Brosnahan
Hierapolis Ruins | ![]() |