Italian Archeologists Discovered the Gate to Hell from Ruins in Turkey

Italian archeologists in the first week of April 2013, discovered the gate to hell from ruins in Turkey. The research conducted by the team led by Francesco D'Andria, professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento found out that there existed a gate to hell, also called Pluto's Gate-Ploutonion in Greek and Plutonium in Latin.

The gate to hell was known to be the gateway to underworld in Greco-Roman mythology as well as tradition. Historically, this site was situated in ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, which is now called Pamukkale. It was described by the historians that the opening of this gate to hell was filled with lethal mephitic vapors.

Greek geographer Strabo (64/63 BC-about 24 AD) described that this place was filled with dense and misty vapours and the animals which passed through it, died instantly. The results of the findings were described at the conference on Italian archaeology in Istanbul, Turkey.

Francesco D'Andria, the lead archaeologist described that the gate to hell was discovered by reconstruction of the route of thermal spring. Pamukkale' springs, which are said to produce white travertine terraces originated from this cave only.

The site had even more ruins that earlier. The archaeologists found out Ionic semi columns. On their top, was the inscription with dedication to deities of the underworld-Pluto and Kore. The ruins of the temple, a pool as well as certain steps placed above the cave were also found and they all matched the descriptions of the site described in ancient sources.

Francesco D'Andria also described that this site was a renowned destination for performing the rites of incubation. The pilgrims used to take the waters in pool near the temple and slept close to the cave to receive prophecies and visions, in a kind of Delphi effect.

The team of archeologists is now in the process of digital reconstruction of this site.