Pamukkale
The stunning white calcium pools, which cling
to the side of a ridge, have long been one of
the most famous picture postcard views of
Turkey. Pamukkale, literally meaning "cotton
castle", is also the site of the ancient city
of Hierapolis of which there are many
interesting ruins, and is a very popular
destination for a short visit.
Pamukkale was formed when a spring with a high
content of dissolved calcium bicarbonate
cascaded over the edge of the cliff, which
cooled and hardened leaving calcium deposits.
This formed into natural pools, shelves and
ridges, which tourists could plunge and splash
in the warm water.
Hotels were springing up from the 1970s to
cater for the large influx of tourists,and
shortly afterwards UNESCO declared it a World
Heritage Site. But by the 1990s, this took its
toll on the state of the calcium pools and
restrictions were placed on these travertine
terraces. Many hotels were knocked down,
visitors are only allowed on major paths
around the sites, and must remove footwear to
stand on the calcium deposits. This seems to
have been a successful move, as the water
supply is now used for preservation and some
of the damaged calcium deposits have been
strengthened.
Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
The ancient city of Hierapolis, the original
site of Pamukkale, was known as Holy City in
archaeological literature because of the
abundance of temples and other religious
structures in the area. Although there is
limited information on the founding of the
city, it is known that Eumenes II founded it
and named it after Bergama's mythical founder,
Hiera, who was the wife of Telephos. It was an
important centre during the Roman and
Byzantine periods, and a centre of
Christianity since the 4th century.
MUSEUMS
Hierapolis Archeology Museum
The old Roman Baths, one of the largest
structures in Hierapolis, has been the
Archaeological Museum since 1984. Inside are
exhibits from excavations of the area.
Museum Tel: (0258) 241 0866.
Opening hours: 08:00 - 19:00 (Summer); 08:00 -
17:00 (Winter). Closed Mondays.
Principal Remnants
Main Street and Doors
The colonnaded main street, 1km in length,
divides the city into two sections from end to
end. At both ends are monumental doors outside
the Byzantine ramparts because huge sections
of the doors were constructed during the Roman
era. On the South Byzantine Door, dating back
to 5 BC, is an epitaph dedicated to Emperor
Dominatian. The North Byzantine Door dating
back to the same period is at the junction
between the road and the ramparts.
Ramparts
The city was encircled with walls around the
north, east and south, in the 5th century BC.
24 square towers were added, but the majority
of these have since collapsed. Of the four
entrances, two are the monumental doors and
other others are small.
Great Turkish Bath Complex
Now part of the Pamukkale Museum and south of
the Thermals Baths, the layout of the Roman
Baths is typical of the era: A wide courtyard
is at the entrance, through which is a
rectangular area with large halls on both
sides. There is evidence suggesting that the
interior's huge walls were covered with
marble. At the north and south of the main
complex are two main halls essentially used
for the private use of the Emperor, and for
ceremonies. The remains of the baths date back
to 2nd century BC, and the area is now covered
with marble and a large section is part of the
Pamukkale Museum.
Apollion Temple
Near the Museum are the foundations of the
Temple, constructed on the Plutonium spring
and dedicated to Pluto, god of the underworld.
It still gives off deadly poisonous gases and
in front of the temple, a grate has been
installed over the underground entrance to the
spring to prevent inquisitive visitors. It was
the site of an ancient religious cave, where
Apollo met the mother goddess of Cybele, and
sources suggest that she descended into the
cave without being affected by the toxic
fumes. The upper parts of the Temple date back
to the 3rd century, and is accessible through
a wide staircase.
Theatre
The restored Roman theatre dates back to the
2nd century and the stage buildings and
elaborate reliefs are in exceptionally good
condition. Construction began in 62 AD by
Flavius two years after a large earthquake,
and completed in 206 AD. It once had a
capacity of around 12,000, and adorned with
columns and statues which were unearthed
during excavations. On the backstage walls are
marble bas-reliefs. The theatre is still the
venue for the annual International Pamukkale
Song Festival in June, during which 7000
spectators can be seated.
Churches
In the city centre are a cathedral, a church
with pillars, and two other churches belonging
to the 6th and 7th centuries, with smaller
chapels at the northern end of the city.
Faith Tourism
Nekropol
The necropolis, in the northern end of the old
centre, is the largest in Asia Minor and
continues along both sides of the road for
nearly 2km. Limestone and marble were both
used during the construction of the graves,
although marble was more common for the tombs.
The northern necropolis includes
characteristics of tombs, graves and
monuments, which date back to early
Christianity. The tombs that have
architectural characteristics of houses are
considered the most valuable parts of the
necropolis.
Laodikeia
Founded on the southern back of the Curuksu
River, the site of ancient Laodiceia, or
Laodikya, is 13km south of Pamukkale.
According to ancient sources, the city was
established by Antiochus in 261-263 BC, and
named after his wife.
This was one of the most important and
renowned cities of Anatolia in the first
century BC, and the majority of works of art
here belonged to this period. The Romans put
great importance to Laodikya and declared it
as the centre of Cybria. The whole area
contains the largest stadium in Asia Minor, a
gymnasium and baths complex, and the
foundations of an Ionic temple. The region
contains one of the seven known churches of
Asia Minor, which indicates the high esteem in
which Christianity was placed. A destructive
earthquake levelled the city in 60 AD.
Structures of Laodikeia : Grand Theatre -
Constructed in typical Roman architectural
style, the Grand Theatre is in the northern
area of Laodikya. Although the stage has been
completely destroyed, the areas for the
orchestra and audience are in good condition,
and had a capacity of around 20,000.
Small Theatre : 300m northwest of the Grand
Theatre, this had a capacity of 15,000 and was
constructed in Roman style. The stage has
completely collapsed, and there is slight
damage elsewhere to the interior.
Stadyum and Gymnasium : Built in 79AD, the
stadium is measures 350m x 60m. Having the
architectural properties of an amphitheatre,
it has 24 rows of seating although significant
parts of its have since been destroyed.
According to an inscription unearthed during
excavations, Proconsul Gargilius constructed
the gymnasium in the 2nd century, as a
dedication to Emperor Hadrian and his wife
Sabina.
Monumental Fountain
Located on the main street, the Monumental
Fountain is a Roman structure with two pools
and carved shelves on the walls, and restored
during the Byzantine period.
Temple of Zeus
Lying between the small theatre and the
monumental fountain, the Temple of Zeus is
located on the east of the colonnaded street.
Grand Church
It was constructed on the south of the
columned street adjacent to it. Only some
parts on which the temple was perched have
still being erected.Main entrance is on the
west part.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Karahayit Thermal Spring
The waters of this spring, which is part of
the Pamukkale system, is 5km south of
Pamukkale and considered to be good for the
heart, hypertension, rheumatism, sciatica,
lumbago and skin diseases.
Pamukkale Thermal and Mineral Springs
The lime solution in the water, which comes
from the travertine pools 18km from Pamukkale,
has therapeutic qualities that have been
acknowledged for centuries. Religious
ceremonies and festivals have been performed
around the source of the spring, and it was a
popular destination for wealthy and powerful
people who came to be cured of their ailments.
