Pamukkale
Pamukkale
Relaxation is key at Pamukkale, pronounced Pah-Mook-Kah-Leh; the natural beauty of the outdoor mineral bath spa is a favourable hotspot for locals and holidaymakers alike. Calcium-laden waters trickle down the cliff’s face leaving behind a white snow-like surface called the cotton fortress, which then flows into warm, shallow springs. It truly is a beautiful display of nature at its best.
In the ancient ruins complex you are given the chance to bath in the cool waters of the Pamukkale Antique Pool, which is sometimes called Cleopatra’s Pool. The delightfully sculpted, columned bath was said to be a gift from Roman politician, Mark Anthony, to Cleopatra and collapsed as a result of an earthquake in the 7th century. The ancient ruins are submerged in thermal, blue water and surrounded by lush, green shrubbery making it feel like you are swimming in wondrous ancient Rome.
The Ancient City and Ruins of Hierapolis
The Ancient City of Hierapolis gained popularity when its calcium springs were discovered by the Romans to have curative properties. The Romans presented the city as a gift to the King of Pergamon, Eumenes II, which he named Hierapolis, in honor of Hiera, the wife of the founder of the Pergamene Dynasty, Telesphorus.
What makes Hierapolis different from most places on Earth is that it is not built on land, neither on water, but on limestone deposits above the mineral springs in the area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the ruins that are littered all over the city, including the necropolis that houses the sarcophagi of important ancient figures like Marcus Aurelius.
