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Pamukkale is known
as 8th wonder of the world by Turkish people, The water (35 C) which
is flowing down the cliff of Pamukkale has turned the area into as
white as cotton color, and carved this fantastic formation of
stalactites and basins. It is the largest and finest example of
elaborate calcium formation, which dominates the landscape miles
around.
Calcium salts are deposited on the hillside and harden to form
saucer-shaped and dazzling white pools of varying dimensions.
According to ancient tradition, the waters within are said to be
advantageous in treating maladies and attract people from all over
the world. The calceous waters rise from the ground at a temperature
of 35 degrees Celsius. In this wonderland is an abundance of hot
springs which are recommended for the treatment of heart diseases,
circulatory problems, high blood pressure, nervous disorders,
rheumatism, eye and skin diseases, nervous and physical exhaustion,
digestive maladies and nutritional disorders.
As you approach the site of PAMUKKALE / HIERAPOLIS from Denizli, a
long white smudge along the hills to the north suggests a landslide
or open cast mine. Getting closer, this resolves into the edge of a
plateau, more than 100m higher than the level of the river valley
and absolutely smothered in white travertine terraces. Some are
shaped like water lilies, other like shell - bathtubs with
stalagmite feet, with simplest ones resembling bleached rice
terraces out of an oriental engraving. The Turks have dubbed this
geological fairyland Pamukkale, or "cotton castle".
The ruins of Hierapolis are the other main attraction.
The city was founded in 190 B.C. by Eumenes II, king of Pergamon. In
the 2nd and 3rd centuries, it reached the height of its development
as a Roman thermal bath center. Hierapolis has such extensive ruins
which is suggested : the city walls, the octagonal Martyrium of St.
Philip, the 2nd center theater, Temple of Apollo, basilica then the
necropolis which covers 2 km. and contains some of the best examples
of tomb styles ; it is one of the best-preserved cemeteries in all
of Anatolia. The East Bath is in archaeology museum housing many of
the remains from Hierapolis.
Just outside Pamukkale are the Red Springs, the boiling waters of
which have emerged from thousands of feet below the Earth's surface
to form ribbons of deep red, blue and yellow on the surrounding
rocks. |
