Near Pamukkale, Denizli, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe

Martyrion of St. Philip

Hierapolis of Phrygia

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

1. Martyrion of St. Philip Marker

Inscription. The church with an octagon core was built at the beginning of the 5th century on the summit of the hill. This is probably where, according to tradition, the Apostle was martyred. The building has an eight-sided central room surmounted by a wooden cupola. From each of the eight sides of the central space there was access to a rectangular room through three arches supported by marble columns with capitals decorated with acanthus leaves. The shape of the central room is a reference to the number eight which symbolises eternity. The church is situated inside a square composed of 28 rooms for housing pilgrims which were accessed from the outside. As in other Byzantine sanctuaries associated with healing powers (e.g. that of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Constantinople), in these rooms incubation rites were practised: during sleep, the Saint cured the sick and made prophecies concerning the future.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 37° 55.864′ N, 29° 7.816′ E. Marker is near Pamukkale, Denizli. Marker can be reached from İsimsiz Yol just north of Yeniköy Yolu, on the right when traveling south. From the archaeological

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park's visitor center at the south park entrance, this marker is actually located to the north, along an un-named park roadway (that also serves as a pedestrian trail), that private cars cannot drive on. So one can either walk there, or pay to be driven there. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pamukkale, Denizli 20190, Turkey. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Theatre (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Temple Nymphaeum (3rd century AD) / Tapinak Nymphaeumu(i.S, III. yÃ¼zyÄ±l) (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Hierapolis (approx. one kilometer away).

More about this marker. This marker is situated at the summit of a hill, beyond the ruins of the city, approximately one kilometer north of the south gate visitor center and east of the city ruins. I have bad knees and paid a fee for a driver to take me to various sites within the archaeological park, including this one.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

2. Martyrion of St. Philip Marker

Distant view of the marker, on the right side of the front entrance walkway.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

3. Martyrion of St. Philip Marker

View of our guide getting ready to walk past the marker, into the ruins of the Martyrion of St. Philip.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

4. Martyrion of St. Philip Marker

View of people standing in the center of the Martyrion of St. Philip.

Martyrion of St. Philip image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

5. Martyrion of St. Philip

A distant view of the ruins of the Martyrion of St. Philip.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

6. Martyrion of St. Philip

View, looking down from the summit of the hill where the Martyrion of St. Philip is located, toward the burial chamber of St. Philip.

Burial site of the martyred St. Philip image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pam Benington, June 15, 2018

7. Burial site of the martyred St. Philip

View of the recently discovered burial chamber of the martyred St. Philip, for which the Martyrion of St. Philip was built.

Photographed By Pam Benington, June 15, 2018

8. Burial site of the martyred St. Philip

View of the interior of the recently discovered burial chamber of the martyred St. Philip, for which the Martyrion of St. Philip was built.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

9. Martyrion of St. Philip Marker

Distant view of the Martyrion of St. Philip (on the higher ground) and of the recently discovered burial chamber of the martyred St. Philip, for which the Martyrion of St. Philip was built (on the lower ground beneath the Martyrion of St. Philip).

Site of the Martyrion of St. Philip image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2018

10. Site of the Martyrion of St. Philip

A panoramic view as seen from the burial site of St. Philip on the right, and from the site of the Martyrion of St. Philip on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 15, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 16, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.