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Plutonium (Gate to Hell) in Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
Known as Pluto's Gate. Ploutonion in Greek, Plutonium in Latin. The cave was celebrated as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition. Pluto’s Gate, the legendary portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition, has been located in Turkey, according to Italian archaeologists.
Historic sources located the site in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale. A cave where the ruins were located emits dangerous gases as the ancient gate was said to be filled lethal mephitic vapors, according to historical sources.
The Greek geographer Strabo in 63BC mentioned about this cave: “This space is full of a vapor so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the ground. Any animal that passes inside meets instant death,”
A team of archaeologists led by Italian Professor Francesco D'Andria made the discovery, and it has been open to the public visits recently. D'Andria has conducted extensive archaeological research at the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis. 12 years ago he claimed to discover there the tomb of Saint Philip, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.
D'Andria also found the remains of a temple, a pool and a series of steps placed above the cave -- all matching the descriptions of the site in ancient sources. D'Andria said: “People could watch the sacred rites from these steps, but they could not get to the area near the opening. Only the priests could stand in front of the portal. We could see the cave's lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes”
Historic sources located the site in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale. A cave where the ruins were located emits dangerous gases as the ancient gate was said to be filled lethal mephitic vapors, according to historical sources.
The Greek geographer Strabo in 63BC mentioned about this cave: “This space is full of a vapor so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the ground. Any animal that passes inside meets instant death,”
A team of archaeologists led by Italian Professor Francesco D'Andria made the discovery, and it has been open to the public visits recently. D'Andria has conducted extensive archaeological research at the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis. 12 years ago he claimed to discover there the tomb of Saint Philip, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.
D'Andria also found the remains of a temple, a pool and a series of steps placed above the cave -- all matching the descriptions of the site in ancient sources. D'Andria said: “People could watch the sacred rites from these steps, but they could not get to the area near the opening. Only the priests could stand in front of the portal. We could see the cave's lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes”
Reconstructional picture of Plutonium by Italian Archaeologists
If you would like to see the remains of this mysterious site. We organize private tours to Hierapolis (Pamukkale) from Kusadasi and Selcuk. Pamukkale is 3 hours drive from Kusadasi and Selcuk. For more information please visit:
Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi
Pamukkale Tour from Selcuk
Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi
Pamukkale Tour from Selcuk
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