COLOSSAE

It's situated 25 km east of Denizli and 2 km north of Honaz Town. The road passing through Colossae connects the Organized Industry Zone to Honaz Town, which is situated at the 16th km of the Denizli-Ankara Highway. The ancient city is situated on the west foothills of Mount Honaz (Mt. Cadmos) next to the Aksu River. It's on the southeast road, which was used in ancient times as well. It was one of the most important centers in Greater Phrygia. According to Xenophon, Colossae was one of the six largest cities.

Its golden age was during Persian Sovereignty. It decreased in importance after Hierapolis and Laodicea were founded in the 3rd century B.C. The city was destroyed by the earthquake in the 1st century A.D. during the reign of Nero. Another city called Chonae, which was built from 692-787 AD where Honaz Town is now, was also destroyed by an earthquake. Old sources inform us that there was a St. Michael's Church in Chonae. There are also ruins of a castle from the Ottoman Period. Unfortunately, there are not any great ruins left from Colossae except rock tombs and rooms on the rocky hill.