Extremelly Impressive Arches of Hierapolis

Even though earthquakes and erosion have knocked
down much of what once stood, it is still mind boggling
that these arches, without any support against
gravity besides pressure and friction, still stand...

A double arch of large
stone blocks stands firm.
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Many tons each, it was
one the most precious
moments of my trip, as
I absorbed the amazing
feats of construction
done by the Romans.
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This structure is closer
to collapse that Pope John
Paul II in a marathon; I
expected it to reign down
on us as we watched it.
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As the sign suggests, it
is going to come down,
and I am grateful to have
seen such a thing before
it does. How lucky am I,
likely being one of the last
to be able to see this
archway over its nearly
2,000 year life ...
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Parts of the structure
do not fare so well,
however ...
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.. and other parts have
come crashing down many
years before now ...
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This largely intact wall
leans precariously to the
side. Even now, the
powerful and large
stone blocks maintain
their order and position
and remain flush to one
another.


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I am not sure where
these stone blocks
came from, as the arch
above them still remains
intact and stable.
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