If you are passionate about biblical history, early Christianity, and ancient civilizations, the Lycos River valley in western Turkey, inspired by recent Colossae excavations, is easily one of the most fascinating regions on Earth.Most travelers know about the stunning ruins of Hierapolis and Laodicea, but there is a third, equally important ancient city that completes this historic triad: Colossae.

Whenever I lead our “Seven Churches” tours through this region, bringing guests to Colossae is always a special moment. And on a recent visit, we had an experience that made it unforgettable!

Why Colossae Holds a Special Place in History

​Located about 25 km east of Denizli (in the Honaz district) and just 20 km from Laodicea, Colossae is a name that resonates deeply in Christian heritage.

​The Connection to Epaphras:

In Colossians 1:7, Epaphras is warmly called our “dear fellow servant.” He is the one who originally brought the Christian faith to Colossae. Historians and scholars believe he likely learned from the Apostle Paul during Paul’s time in Ephesus, before heading back to plant and nurture churches across Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.

Visiting Colossae

​Paul’s Letter from Prison:

Interestingly, Paul himself probably never visited Colossae face-to-face; in Colossians 2:1, he mentions his struggle for those who haven’t seen his face. Around AD 60–62, while sitting in prison, Paul penned the Epistle to the Colossians after hearing a report from Epaphras about the community. He wrote it to guide the young church away from confusing local philosophies and to remind them of the supreme, unshakeable authority of Christ.

​Philemon and Onesimus:

Colossae is also the backdrop for the intimate Epistle to Philemon, a prominent local citizen. It’s the touching story of Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave who met Paul, converted, and was sent back not as property, but as a beloved brother.

​What It’s Like to Visit Today

Colossae Ancient City

Unlike its bustling neighbors filled with towering columns and grand theaters, walking through Colossae today is a very different experience. Not much of the city has been unearthed yet, and much of ancient Colossae still sleeps quietly beneath the soil.
​Yet, for anyone who loves history, simply standing in that quiet landscape is moving. Whenever we bring our groups here, we take our time talking about its immense historical weight. And during our last tour, we got a wonderful surprise: we ran right into the active archaeological excavation team!

​Great News from the Field:Colossae Excavations

​Stumbling upon the team turned into an amazing conversation. I had the chance to chat with Baris Yener, an archaeologist from the Archaeology Department of Denizli Pamukkale University, who gave us some fantastic updates on what’s happening at the site.

Nekropolis of Colossae

​He told me that after finishing their surface surveys in 2025, they have officially kicked off actual excavations, starting in the Necropolis area. Work is set to continue deeper into the ancient city as the year goes on, and the team is fully aware of how monumental Colossae is for the Christian world. In fact, they are planning to release their first scientific publications on the digs by the spring of 2027. As someone who spends a lot of time on the road showing these lands to guests, this thrilled me to no end. These excavations are being run by Pamukkale University—the exact same brilliant team that, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Celal Simsek, worked wonders at Laodicea over the last ten years. Knowing their track record, I am 100% confident that Colossae is in the best possible hands.

​Why This Matters

Turkey is an absolute treasure chest for Biblical History. Finding, carefully excavating, restoring, and protecting these ancient sites isn’t just about boosting tourism; it’s about preserving our shared human story and letting visitors experience history firsthand.
​A massive shout-out and our best wishes go to the sponsors, supporters, and the hardworking archaeological team. Colossae is finally waking up!

​Have you ever traveled through the biblical sites of Western Turkey? If you would like to explore these sacred treasures firsthand, you can visit our biblical tours page to plan your custom journey. I would love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions—drop a comment below!