Biblical city
Colossae
Honaz, Türkiye · Phrygia
A declining Phrygian town near Laodicea, Colossae received a letter from Paul answering teaching that diminished the supremacy of Christ. The unexcavated mound near Honaz still awaits systematic archaeology.
History in Scripture
Paul never visited Colossae, but wrote to the church founded through Epaphras, warning against a mixture of philosophy, asceticism and angel worship and exalting the supremacy of Christ. Philemon and Onesimus belonged to this congregation.
The ancient city
Once a wool and textile town on the Lycus valley road, Colossae had already been eclipsed by neighbouring Laodicea and Hierapolis by Paul's day.
The site today
The mound near Honaz in Türkiye is unexcavated farmland — the most significant New Testament city still awaiting the spade.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.