Pamukkale

thumb|Panoramic view of travertine terraces at Pamukkale

thumb|Pamukkale sinter terraces

Pamukkale, () meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The area is famous for a carbonate mineral left by the flowing of thermal spring water. Hierapolis became a healing centre where doctors used the thermal springs as a treatment for their patients. The city began minting bronze coins in the 2nd century BC. These coins give the name Hieropolis. It remains unclear whether this name referred to the original temple (, hieron) or honoured Hiera, the wife of Telephus, son of Heracles and the Mysian princess Auge. This name eventually changed into Hierapolis ("holy city").

Roman period

In 133 BC, when Attalus III died, he bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Hierapolis thus became part of the Roman province of Asia. In AD 17, during the rule of Emperor Tiberius, a major earthquake destroyed the city.

Through the influence of the Christian Apostle Paul, a church was founded here while he was at Ephesus. The Christian Apostle Philip spent the last years of his life here. The town's Martyrium was alleged to have been built upon the spot where Philip was crucified in AD 80. His daughters were also said to have acted as prophetesses in the region. During the 4th century, the Christians filled Pluto's Gate (a ploutonion) with stones, suggesting that Christianity had become the dominant religion and had begun displacing other faiths in the area. Originally a see of Phrygia Pacatiana, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian raised the bishop of Hierapolis to the rank of metropolitan in 531. The Roman baths were transformed to a Christian basilica. During the Byzantine period, the city continued to flourish and also remained an important centre for Christianity.

Museum

The museum contains historical artifacts from Hierapolis, as well as those from Laodiceia, Colossae, Tripolis, Attuda and other towns of the Lycos (Çürüksu) valley. The museum also has a section devoted to artifacts found at Beycesultan Hüyük that includes examples of Bronze Age craft. Artifacts from the Caria, Pisidia and Lydia regions are also on display. The museum's exhibition space consists of three halls of the vaulted Hierapolis Bath buildings and the open-air areas in the eastern side which are known to have been used as the library and gymnasium. The artifacts in open exhibition space are mostly marble and stone.

Tourism and conservation

Pamukkale is one of the most visited natural sites in Turkey, attracting more than two million visitors annually. Tourists can bathe in designated thermal pools, including the famous Cleopatra’s Pool, where ancient marble columns lie submerged. To protect the delicate travertine terraces, UNESCO and local authorities regulate the water flow and periodically close certain sections, allowing the formations to regenerate naturally. These efforts aim to preserve Pamukkale’s unique landscape for future generations while supporting the local economy through sustainable tourism.

World Heritage Site

thumb|The Theatre of [[Hierapolis]]

Pamukkale is recognized as a World Heritage Site together with Hierapolis. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988. It is a tourist attraction because of this status and its natural beauty

Sister cities

The city of Pamukkale has two sister cities:

Eger, Hungary
Las Vegas, United States

Similar places

These locations are also well known for their travertine formations:

Badab-e Surt in Iran
Mammoth Hot Springs in the United States
Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand
Hierve el Agua in Mexico
Bagni San Filippo in Siena, Italy
Baishuitai in China
Tatev in Armenia
Terme di Saturnia in Italy
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Sichuan, China
Kaklik Cave in Denizli, Turkey

Roman period

Museum

Tourism and conservation

World Heritage Site

Sister cities

Similar places

Notes

Further reading

External links