IFORMATION ABOUT PAMUKKALE

Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where the hot springs were believed to have healing powers, so the city became the center of a pagan cult in antiquity and a spa resort today. The city was on the borders of Caria, Lycia and Phrygia and had a mixed population. Citizens were usually involved in the wool industry and little has changed as it is still a textile center.

The Natural Aspect

The terraces were formed by running warm spring water, at a temperature of 35 °C / 102 °F containing calcium bicarbonate. When the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. These are of different colors and shapes in the form of terraces with pools, overhanging surfaces and fascinating stalactite formations. Pamukkale which means "cotton castle" in Turkish takes its name from these formations. According to scientists, if the water had always flowed at this rate, the terraces must have begun forming 14,000 years ago.A little further away from Pamukkale, near Karahayit village is another thermal spring, Kirmizi Su (the Red Water) with warmer water but less carbon dioxide gas where the running water creates a reddish effect different then the white cotton terraces of Pamukkale

PAMUKKALE & HIERAPOLIS TOUR

After breakfast drive to Pamukkale which is the center of natural thermal spring waters with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white colored travertines and stepped water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. It is for its resemblence to cotton pilesthat it is called 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish. Visit the travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Nekropol with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site. There shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath.

APHRODISIAS & PAMUKKALE TOURS

Aphrodite - the Goddess of love and fertility was worshipped. Following a lunch break, the tour picks up again at Pamukkale, or 'Cotton Castle', the name so derived as a result of the calcium deposited terraced travertines, which cascade in snowy white down the mountain side slopes. Visit these travertines as well as the nearby ruins of the ancient city of Hieropolis. Finally, there is time set aside for a relaxing swim in one of the more unusual hot pools supplied by the natural springs - marked by a splendid scattering of ancient stone columns underwater and around.