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Location and History Location and History
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Biblical Significance Biblical Significance
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Site Visit Site Visit
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Cite
Abstract
At one time a thriving city in the fertile valley of the Lycus River, the city of Colossae is almost forgotten today. If not for its significance to the Bible, the site of ancient Colossae, now only an unexcavated mound, would be visited very seldom. Colossae was situated near the Lycus River (today the Aksu Çay), the chief tributary of the Meander River. Located in the Phrygian region of Asia Minor, the city was approximately 120 miles east of Ephesus. During the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.E. Colossae was a large and prosperous city. At that time the leading city of the Lycus Valley, Colossae was eventually eclipsed in importance during the Hellenistic and Roman periods by the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. The textile industry flourished in the Lycus Valley, particularly because of goods made from the exceptionally fine wool produced in the area. Colossae was well known for its purple-colored wool. The economic prosperity of the city was also due to its being located on the main trade route from the Aegean coast to the Euphrates. Like Laodicea and Hierapolis, Colossae likely was damaged by the severe earthquake that struck the Lycus Valley in 60 C.E. By the 9th century the site was abandoned, its remaining inhabitants having moved to the nearby town of Chonae (modern Honaz). To reach the ruins of ancient Colossae, take highway 320 east from Denizli toward Dinar. Approximately 12 miles from Denizli, turn right onto the road for Honaz. After traveling approximately 4 miles, turn left. The site of ancient Colossae, a low hill in a field, is about 6 miles on the right. The ancient city of Colossae is remembered today primarily because one of the letters in the New Testament is addressed to “the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae” (Col 1:2). Aside from this one reference, the city of Colossae does not appear in the New Testament. The Letter to the Colossians claims to be a letter from the Apostle Paul, although its authorship is sometimes attributed to an anonymous disciple of Paul’s who wrote in the name of Paul.
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