Denizli Travertine

Denizli Travertine has an important place in the architecture and culture of the societies that lived in the Çürüksu Valley in western Anatolia, Türkiye in the past. The travertine was used widely for ornamental and building stone in ancient cities of the Çürüksu Basin at least since the 2nd century. In these ancient cities (e.g. Hierapolis, Laodikeia, Tripolis and Colossae) the stone was the most leading construction material of the public buildings (i.e. temple, castle, theatre, agora, gymnasium, monumental tomb-fountain, public toilet, street, bridge, …). Use of the travertine continued during the Seljuk period (starting from the 13th century).
Apart from the buildings, it is observed that in the past, some objects such as olive processing stone and mortar stone were carved from travertine blocks. The banded
travertine, a crystalline variety of travertine, so-called also ‘alabaster’ were commonly utilised for luxury or decorative objects. Small goods (i.e. bibelot, mosaic tables, vases of various form, bowls and dishes, drug jars) and greater objects (e.g. colossal statues, column, sarcophagi, ornamental tombs and street paving) made up from the banded travertines, have been documented in many archaeological studies. Even this variety with name of ‘Coloured Hierapolis Marble’ was brought to Rome (Italy) during the Augustian period, the 18th century. In the past, the basin margins and hill tops in the Denizli Graben were ideal places for settlement and security. The idea of being close to water sources, especially to thermal waters, has also been a reason for preference. As a matter of fact, the cities of Hierapolis and Tripolis were located close to the water resources. Thermal springs were important for the treatment of diseases. In this regard, Hierapolis (Pamukkale), which is rich in thermal water resources, was once considered sacred and therefore people wanted to die and to be buried in this city. Consequently, Hierapolis has several necropolises. In addition, the building materials (mainly travertine) were found in and around these settlements.