Colossae

Where is Colossae today? A mound near Honaz in Denizli; the city of the church to which Paul wrote Colossians, with the chapters where it appears.

Today
Near Honaz, Denizli
Country
Türkiye
Status
Largely unexcavated mound: ancient Colossae
Identification
Certain

Colossae was a small Phrygian city in the same valley as Laodicea and Hierapolis. Paul had not founded the church here and had never met its believers face to face (Colossians 2:1); they had learned the gospel from Epaphras, one of their own (Colossians 1:7; 4:12). In his letter to the Colossians Paul stresses Christ's supremacy over all creation. Onesimus was among those who carried the letter, so Philemon, to whom Paul wrote about Onesimus, and the church that met in his house are thought to have been in Colossae as well.

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Where is Colossae today?

Colossae is in Türkiye today: a mound about 3 km north of the town of Honaz in Denizli province. The church to which Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians was in this city (Colossians 1:2). Its location is securely known, but most of the ancient city still lies underground; visitors see the mound, scattered stones and potsherds, and views of Mount Honaz. In the Middle Ages the centre of the area shifted to nearby Honaz.

Who was the letter to the Colossians written to?

The letter to the Colossians was written to the believers in Colossae, near today's Honaz in Denizli province (Colossians 1:2). Paul had never met them in person; Epaphras, from their own city, had brought them the gospel. The letter describes Christ's supremacy over creation and the church, and warns believers against empty philosophy based on human tradition (Colossians 2:8).

Are Colossae and Honaz the same place?

Not exactly. Ancient Colossae is the mound about 3 km north of the town of Honaz. In the Middle Ages Colossae declined, and nearby Chonae, today's Honaz, became the centre of the area. That is why the two places are often mentioned together.