Laodicea on the Lycus

Laodicea on the Lycus was a prosperous ancient city in the Phrygian interior of Asia Minor, positioned at the junction of two major trade routes along the Lycus River — today about 6 km north of Denizli. Founded in the 3rd century BC by the Seleucid king Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice, the city grew under Roman rule into a wealthy hub of banking and textile production, famed across the ancient world for its black wool. It holds enduring significance as one of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelation, where John's letter criticizes the community for being 'neither hot nor cold.' Intensive excavations since 2003 have uncovered two theaters, a stadium, Syrian colonnaded street, temples, and extensive bath complexes. The sprawling open-air site can be walked freely, offering sweeping views across the Lycus valley toward nearby Hierapolis.