Where is Pamukkale - Cotton Castle?

The natural phenomenon of the thermal resort provided Pamukkale with world heritage sites. The UNESCO list was added to it in 1988.

Pamukkale: where is this interesting place

The small resort town of Pamukkale is located in the Turkish province of Denizli, about 250 km from Antalya, near the Aegean coast.

Natural calcareous deposits formed heredazzling whiteness cascading pools of bizarre forms, the so-called travertines. These natural baths are filled with curative thermal waters that help to cope with various diseases. Therefore, where is Pamukkale, they know those who suffer from cardiovascular, skin, eye and some other diseases, have problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Why "Cotton Castle"?

There are many legends and legends about this.about One of them says that the titans lived in this place in ancient times. Here they grew and harvested cotton. Once left him dry, left and did not return. And, they say, in Pamukkale there is a gate to the kingdom of Hades.

In total, it is more likely that the name “Cotton Castle” has a visual basis. From a distance, the white mass of travertine is very similar to the endless cotton plantations.

How did the travertines appear?

Термальные воды курорта подогреваются подземным warm and come to the surface with a temperature of plus 33-36 degrees Celsius. This water contains calcium bicarbonate. On the surface, as a result of reaction with carbon dioxide, its decomposition occurs. Calcium carbonate is formed. It was he who precipitates, while creating frozen waterfalls, terraces and magnificent snow-white baths - travertines.

As a hydropathic, this area began to be used in ancient times. The ancient Greeks knew about the healing properties of thermal springs and even built the city of Hieraspolis not far from them.

Cleopatra baths

Там, где находится Памуккале, находится и swimming pool, which is called the Sacred, or Cleopatra. Legend has it that the Roman commander Marc Anthony brought this thermal pool to Cleopatra during a honeymoon. Confirmation of this fact in the documents was not found. Most likely, this name pool received for its exceptional ability to rejuvenate and give invigorating power to anyone who dips into it. The water in the pool is very warm, about 35 degrees, and clear. Where underground keys are beaten, it is also aerated. The smallest bubbles jump out of it, like from champagne.

Where is Pamukkale, there lives a legend

From the ancient city of Hieropolis, which wasfounded in 190 BC. e., of course, left almost alone ruins. However, the Roman baths, necropolises, the ancient amphitheater there are partially preserved. For example, the baths were built from huge stone blocks that are almost impossible to destroy. The largest surviving building now houses a museum, another two have a library and a gym. The original building of the amphitheater was destroyed during the strongest earthquake. In the 60s of our era it was rebuilt, but in an unusual way: it was carved on the side of a hill. Now the amphitheater is being restored.

Разрушительное землетрясение в V веке до н. э.left behind a few antique buildings, except for only ruins. By the way, did you know: where was the most beautiful temple of Apollo? Pamukkale, it turns out, has preserved its ruins and the Plutonium cave located next to it. This place was considered the entrance to the abode of the underground god Pluto, because the cave was filled with carbon dioxide. Only the priests who solved this riddle, holding their breath, could be in a cave, thereby proving their exclusiveness.

So here it is - Pamukkale (Turkey), where the fabulous snow-white valley of thermal springs is located and where the air is saturated with the smells of ancient times.