Pamukkale / Hierapolis

Western Anatolia (Interior)

Province: Denizli

Nearest town: Denizli

Altitude: 350m/1,150ft

Situation and Landscape

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. 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