Colossae, Archaeological ruins in Denizli Province, Turkey
Colossae is an ancient city in Denizli Province, Turkey, that spreads across the Lycus Valley. Parts of defensive walls and a theater on the eastern slope remain visible on the acropolis.
Herodotus described the place as an important city where Xerxes I rested during his campaign against the Greeks in the 5th century BC. It later declined in importance while nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis grew.
The site received a letter from Paul that became one of the earliest writings for Christian communities. This connection made it a destination for believers tracing the roots of their tradition.
The remains lie roughly 190 kilometers east of Ephesus in the Lycus Valley and have not been fully excavated. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes because the ground is uneven and the structures are scattered across the area.
A special type of dyed wool known as colossinus originated here and possibly gave the place its name. The technique of this dyeing differed from methods used in other regions during antiquity.
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