Pamukkale, Cotton Castle of Turkey

Pamukkale, meaning 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish is the modern name of the ancient Greek city of Hierapolisis located in the River Menderes valley. Together with Hierapolis, Pamukkale is recognized as a World Heritage site and regarded as the 8th World Wonder by locals.

Pamukkale is a fascinating attraction of great natural interest created by mineral rich water from one of a number of very hot springs.

Water cascading over the cliff edge cooled and hardened leaving deposits of calcium. Great natural pools, shelves and ridges formed becoming the largest and finest example of elaborate calcium formation in the world and now dominates the landscape for miles around.

Ancient tradition states that the calcium rich waters, which rise from the ground at a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, are advantageous in treating illness.

It has been reported that the warm springs are beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous disorders, high blood pressure, heart diseases, circulatory problems, exhaustion, digestive disorders, eye/skin diseases and nutritional disorders.

Hierapolis - Holy City

Sitting on the top of Pamukkale are the extensive remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Founded as a thermal spa in the second century BC Hierapolis became a healing centre, the hot springs would be used by doctors to treat their patients ailments. The height of its development was reached as a Roman thermal bath center.

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