Pamukkale

Fast Facts

Location: Located 20 km away from Denizli in inner Aegean region in south-western Turkey.
Attraction Type: Thermal Springs.
Significance: White Travertine, where the water flow down the cliff to carve an amazing formation of stalactites and basins and turn the area into a wonderful white.
Best time to Visit: During Summer.
Visiting Hours: During the daytime.
How to Reach: Cardak Airport is 65 km. away from Pamukkale. You can also reach here by train from Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul. Bus services are available from almost all the cities of Turkey.
Nearest Airport: Cardak Airport (DNZ).

Pamukkale's spring waters were known for their therapeutic quality right from the time of antiquity. It was one of the most popular health resorts of the Roman times, where hundreds arrived for rest and recuperation. It is, ironically, also the place with the largest cemetery of the classical world. However, history is not Pamukkale's only claim to fame - it is not what makes Pamukkale one of the serious contenders for that elusive eighth wonder of the world - it is the pristine white look and texture of the rocks, which make it exclusive. Because of these unique rock formations, Pamukkale appears like, as the name suggests, a 'Cotton Castle'.

In Pamukkale, water flows down the cliff to carve an amazing formation of stalactites and basins and turn the area into a wonderful white. Yes, we are talking about Pamukkale — not only a natural wonder of the world, but also a place of historical importance. As the name suggests (in Turkish, Pamukkale means "Cotton Castle"), the hot springs look like wonderful white castle, which not only provide an eye-soothing beauty, but have also been used as spa. So, come and explore Pamukkale and its White Travertine, you cannot afford to miss it.

Located 20 km away from Denizli in inner Aegean region in south-western Turkey, Pamukkale is known to the whole world for its white calcareous castles formed by limestone-laden thermal springs, and formation of stalactites, potholes and cataracts. In fact Pamukkale is the finest example of elaborate calcium formation. There are around 17 thermal springs in Pamukkale. The waters, with a temperature of around 35^oC, are mixed with calcium bicarbonate. The water is collected in a pool, known as the 'Sacred Pool' in the ancient times. The pool is the place where tourists can swim amidst the historical remains of Hierapolis, which is truly an experience to cherish forever.

Bathing in the hot springs:

The most exciting thing about Pamukkale is undoubtedly its hot springs. It is believed that bathing in the spring water can heal a number of diseases including eye and skin diseases, heart diseases, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, rheumatism, nervous disorders, digestive maladies and nutritional disorders. You can also walk down barefooted in the springs from the village.

Ruins of Hierapolis:

The ruins of Hierapolis are another attraction is Pamukkale. Founded in 190 B.C. by Eumenes II, Hierapolis became a Roman thermal bath center during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Visit the city walls, the 2nd theater, the octagonal Martyrium of St. Philip, and Temple of Apollo there.

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels available in Pamukkale. Some of them are as below:

Htel Hal-Tur
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Buluari No: 45
Pamukkale

Venus Hotel
Pamuk Mh. Hasan Tahsin Cd. No: 16
Pamukkale

Hotel Ozbay
Mehmety Akif Ersoy cad No: 43
Pamukkale

Related Links :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uqFUc_K5wk: To get a glimpse of the wonderful natural beauty of Pamukkale, along with the architectural and artistic remains of the Roman settlement in the region, watch this video! You will also get valuable historic and geographical information on the site from this clip.