Religious site
Ploutonion at Hierapolis
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
The Ploutonion (or Plutonium) at Hierapolis is a sacred site associated with the god Pluto, ruler of the underworld. It consists of a small chamber built over a fissure that emits carbon dioxide gas, lethal to animals and humans in high concentrations. Ancient priests would demonstrate their supposed divine protection by entering the chamber and emerging unscathed (likely by holding their breath or using the gas's variable density). Today, visitors can see the stone enclosure and observe the gas pooling near the ground, a eerie reminder of ancient beliefs.
Don't miss
- Peer into the stone chamber where toxic gas once served as a test of faith and a tourist attraction in antiquity.
- Notice the dead insects and small animals near the opening, evidence of the gas's potency.
- Read the informative panels explaining the geological and historical significance of this unique sanctuary.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Ploutonion at Hierapolis
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAntalya / Belek : Guided Pamukkale Day Trip & Hierapolis w/ Lunch4.7★ · 44 travelers14–16 hoursFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →
Best full dayPamukkale Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool Tour with lunch from Antalya4.8★ · 2,553 travelers~12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$81 per personSee dates →
Top ratedPamukkale and Hierapolis Day Tour from Antalya with Lunch4.9★ · 200 travelers11–12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$47 per personSee dates →More attractions in Pamukkale