In the Hierapolis Ancient City of Pamukkale, which is famous for its travertines, there is the Hell Gate known as the gateway to the land of the dead. This place, which has been a mystery for many years, has been resolved after extensive research. It has been opened to the public very recently. This place is considered to be a sacred place where ceremonies were held and rituals were held during the Phrygian period.
The gate has a history of 2200 years. It was destroyed in the earthquake that occurred 1500 years ago, and it hosted religious ceremonies in the ancient period by making restoration works. The gate is located in the region where there is a seismic fault line from the north to the south of the region. A cave has formed in this place where the thermal water source comes out, and carbon dioxide gas, which is deadly for living things, is emitted inside this cave. For this reason, the place is considered sacred. The city, which was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, was named ‘Hierapolis (Holy City)’, which means sanctuary, after the Phrygian period.
Interesting Reason for Calling Hell’s Gate:
Pamukkale district of Denizli is famous for its travertines and hot springs. People visited this place in the ancient Roman period as well as today to see its beauty and to benefit from the healing thermal spring waters.
But despite all the beauties it offers, Hierapolis is a place known as an unlucky place in Roman times. According to the legend told, the gate of hell opening to the underground is located in this city. When you pass through the door, the poisonous breath of the three-headed hellhound Kerberos is flowing from the ground. This dog offers sacrifices to Hades, who is considered the god. For this reason, the temple of Apollo was built next to the ground. They began to pay the god to be sacrificed in their name by the clergy in the temple.
Since the carbon dioxide gas released inside has a heavier mass than air, it accumulates on the ground when the air is cold. In religious ceremonies, priests hold their breath and enter the cave with a live animal. Due to the gas inside, the animals die immediately. The priests, who give the impression of divine intervention inside, come out alive. Thus, the clergy and this place were considered sacred. It was accepted that the living things sent inside were given as a sacrifice to the god.
The gate of Hell, which has been a mystery for centuries, has been solved by modern science and made open to visitors. Pamukkale travertines, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are assumed to attract more tourists after the opening of this mysterious gate.
