ALet’s go to Turkey to see the paradise of ancient wonders. Every traveler must travel to Pamukkale in Turkey at least once to conquer the maps of the visual experience that they crave.

A group of hills covered with white blanket, in between are small ponds filled with light blue water. Pamukkale, a town in western Turkey, has this astonishing phenomenon of mineral-rich thermal water.

Pamukkale means ‘Cotton Castle’ in Turkish. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is said to be a natural thermal spa. Even in winter the water in those pools is lukewarm.

Pamukkale is formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate contained in the slopes of these hills by the warm water (hot spring) coming from underground over time. Many tourists have been coming here for ages to see and experience it. It is one of the most unique natural wonders in the world.

Particulars of the journey to Pamukkale

I got the number of the tour company Mars Tours from the Titanic Hotel reception in Antalya where I was staying. Called there and booked a tour to Pamukkale.

The next morning at 8 o’clock the man came to pick me up at the hotel with a car. Name is Gokhan. Later I realized that he was not interested in speaking much because his English was not very good. Gokhan was talking to me in Turkish, but I didn’t understand anything. Later on in the trip we mostly communicated in sign language.

This beautiful natural wonder is located in the Denizli province of southwestern Turkey. It is about 250 km from Antalya by road. A three-hour drive through the Turkish countryside. A beautiful journey through the valleys and between the big mountains, stopping at the roadside to see orange, pomegranate, apple and peach orchards and enjoying the beautiful scenery of various types of vegetable fields. So we arrived at Pamukkale. Tourists who come here are welcomed by those cotton forts made by nature.

Pamukkale, when seen from a distance, looks like a snow mountain, or a white castle, or a cotton hill. It is a land of not only white mountains but hot springs like tears coming out from underground. Gokhan has allotted me four hours here. He showed the time and place to return in sign language. I took the entry ticket and went inside.

The very ancient Greco-Roman Byzantine city of Hierapolis is located adjacent to it. An area of ​​great historical importance. This place was very active before and after Christ. Many historical remains can still be seen there. Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient city with an extraordinary landscape that can claim centuries of heritage. The culture here is a mix of Roman, Byzantine, Jewish, Christian and Seljuk influences. It is believed that the martyrdom of Philip, who was one of the 12 apostles of Christ, played an important role in the spread of early Christianity. After seeing the sights of Hierapolis, full of ruins of a rich ancient civilization, we walked for two kilometers through the gentle breeze to the fountains of Pamukkale. The view from the top of the hill was very beautiful. A lake below and the village beyond. A romantic scene. I watched the phenomenon of 30 – 35 degree warm underground water flowing through channels stretching for kilometers in nature’s amazing pearly color. Decided to take a dip in the nearby Cleopatra pool and come back down to the springs.

Admission to the Cleopatra pool complex is free. But there is a fee of 50 Turkish lira to enter the pool. Locker rental for changing clothes is 10 lira. Where else in the world can you swim in an authentic Roman pool that is over 2000 years old and was built before the time of Christ? Excitedly, I decided to dive into the pool which was the secret of Cleopatra’s beauty. A symbol of female beauty in world history, Cleopatra built a great empire with her graceful beauty and intelligence. Cleopatra, Egypt’s most successful empress, is said to have regularly visited here and bathed in the springs.

Even today, stories are alive that one can regain youth and beauty by taking a dip in this very famous pool. The highlight of the pool is the stone pillars at its bottom. It was decorated according to the architecture of ancient Rome. It was part of the Roman Temple of Apollo with a roof decorated with Doric columns.

During a major earthquake in the 7th century AD, these pillars fell into the pool. It can still be seen there. The pool is very busy. Surrounded by lush greenery, the pool has varying depths and the water is pleasantly warm.

Apart from being pleasant to bathe in the hot and pure water of this spring, it is also a medical procedure. This water bath is used locally to treat skin diseases, digestive tract, cardiovascular diseases, rickets and rheumatism.

I climbed out of the Cleopatra pool and into the stunning snow-white travertine and terrace pools. Only bare feet are allowed to go there. Walked over the hot spring. Stepped in hot water and walked to its base which looked like an iceberg.

Pamukkale was a spa town since ancient times. Long before the medicinal value of these hot springs was scientifically proven, the ancestors here understood and utilized it. Pamukkale’s iceberg-like surfaces are due to the superconcentration of calcium carbonate and other minerals in water by the flow of hot springs on the area’s travertine surface. A barefoot walk is delightful in Tapanirjhari, which originates as a result of volcanic activity. Travelers from all over the world come to frolic in the hot springs in search of medicinal value and mental relaxation. Through the centuries, the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans continued through modern Turkey. Many visitors, some walk through the waterfall, some bathe in the ponds, and some take photoshoots. On the way back, some Mongolian tourists asked me to take a photo of them. After that I took a selfie with them.

Nice cold wind. I went to the locker and changed my clothes and came out at five o’clock.

Gokhan was there at the visitors center waiting for me. After having Turkish coffee and sandwiches at a nearby restaurant, we returned to the hotel. He sat in the car and took a good nap and returned to the hotel at nine o’clock. Turkey is a country that amazes any traveler with its rich sights. A beautiful region with many ancient cultures and stunning landscapes.

Pamukkale was a more beautiful experience than I expected during my trip in Turkey. Pamukkale has attracted tourists for thousands of years and continues to do so today. This is a must-see area for anyone visiting Turkey. Pamukkale provided a completely different viewing experience that was amazing. A different aspect of nature, beautiful views remain indelible in the mind like its warm spring water.