Hierapolis

Hierapolis (meaning holy city) was a city in the Lycus River valley of Phrygia (modern western Turkey), located about six miles north of Laodicea and twelve miles from Colossae. It had a Christian congregation under the pastoral care of Epaphras, whom Paul commends as "always labouring fervently for you in prayers" (Col. 4:12–13). The three cities — Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis — formed a cluster of churches in the Lycus valley. Hierapolis was famous for its hot springs whose mineral-rich waters cascaded over the cliff at Pamukkale, creating white terraces still visible today; Revelation's rebuke of Laodicea for being "lukewarm" (Rev. 3:16) may allude to this geothermal context. Church tradition says Philip the Apostle died and was buried at Hierapolis.