One of the books of the Bible is devoted to St Paul’s letters to the Colossians. This might lead would-be visitors to the site of Colossae, near Denizli, to expect that it would be an impressive place, something rather like nearby Laodicea or Hierapolis perhaps.
Rid yourself of that idea immediately. This is an unexcavated archaeological site that is strictly of interest to list-tickers only despite the fact that it’s very easy to get to by public transport.
The site at Colossae appears to have been settled in Phrygian times and to have flourished under the Persians. It declined in importance after the foundation of Laodicea and Hierapolis, and never recovered from an earthquake during the reign of the Emperor Nero in the first century AD.
Dolmuşes from Denizli to Honaz (the Byzantine Chonae) pass right by the large hummock that was the site of the acropolis at Colossae. You can scramble up it on a scree-covered path and the view is certainly lovely, looking out towards snowcapped Honaz Dagı (2571m, Mt Honaz, Mt Cadmos) in the Honaz Dagı Milli Parkı (national park). Any stones that might have survived have since been removed, presumably for other buildings.
Stones from Colossae resued?
From the summit if you look back towards Denizli you will see some huge stones standing in a field. It looks as if they must have been taken from the site for resuse in later buildings or even as sheep pens.
Transport info
Dolmuşes to Honaz leave from the lower level of Denizli otogar every 20 minutes and drop you right at the site.
