Pamukkale Attractions
Western Anatolia (Interior)
Nearest town: Denizli
The ancient site of Hierapolis, now known as Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) after the famous calcareous terraces, offers a superb view over the valley of the Büyük Menderes and the Aksu. It lies on the borders of Caria, Lydia and Phrygia some 20km/12mi north of Denizli on a plateau of chalky deposits nearly 3km/2mi long, up to 300m/330yds wide and about 160m/525ft above the Lykos valley.
Nearest town: Denizli
The ancient site of Hierapolis, now known as Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) after the famous calcareous terraces, offers a superb view over the valley of the Büyük Menderes and the Aksu. It lies on the borders of Caria, Lydia and Phrygia some 20km/12mi north of Denizli on a plateau of chalky deposits nearly 3km/2mi long, up to 300m/330yds wide and about 160m/525ft above the Lykos valley.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Gleaming white limestone deposits, flanked by oleanders as they cascade down the steep hillside like a petrified waterfall, the inviting warm water baths and the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis combine to create one of Turkey's most fascinating sights. The first archeological investigation was carried out in 1887 under the leadership of Carl Humann. Further excavations were undertaken by an Italian team from 1957 onwards.
Related Attractions
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Hierapolis
Hierapolis was founded shortly after 190 B.C. by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. The baths have been excavated along with the Temple of Apollo. Outside the gates is the necropolis.
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Laodikeia
The ancient site of Laodikeia boasts of a wide array of ruins spread out over an area of 1 sq.km.
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Necropolis (Town walls)
(Hierapolis)
The Necropolis of Hierapolis contains over 1200 tombs of various shapes and sizes. Also of interest are the old town walls.
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Pamukkale - Limestone Terraces
Calcium rich water emerges from the ground at Pamukkale and evaporates forming the sacred Limestone Terraces.
Akhan
On the road from Denizli to Dinar (8km/5mi) stands a Seljuk caravanserai which was founded in 1253 by Emir Karasungur. The marble-faced east façade gives the complex its name ("akhan", white caravanserai). Other features include an arcaded courtyard and a triple-aisled winter hall.
Karahayit, Turkey
More hot springs (Kizilpinar 55°C/131°F) bubble from the chalk-coated rocks on the same plateau only 5km/3mi west of Pamukkale near the village of Karahayit. The presence of various other oxides, e.g. iron oxide, tinges the calcium carbonate with a variety of colors. A small bathing pool is situated beneath the springs.
Pamukkale - Hot Spring Pool
The main outlet for the spring water today is near the Pamukkale Motel (no group tours) and a number of antique columns are submerged in the bathing pool where water at a temperature of 38°C/100°F circulates. The spring with a flow of 200-250liter/44-55gallons per second has covered the whole of the lower town with a chalky coating and numerous earthquakes have caused this layer to crack and split open.
Saraykoy, Turkey
The town of Sarayköy at the western edge of the Hierapolis valley is probably old Karura (Kyorara) which lay on the border between Phrygia and Caria. It became known for its hot springs by the Maeander and its Herophilian medical school. Herophilus (fourth century B.C.) was regarded as the most important doctor of antiquity after Hippocrates. He was one of the first doctors to dissect the human body.
