Pamukkale Overview

Overview

Spectacular - a must see. Pamuk means cotton in Turkish and Kale fortress, so the name means Cotton Fortress. The white waterfall is indeed a lot like a huge cotton castle. At one point visitors were able climb all over the "travertines" or collected pools of mineral water, but since the government has disallowed the climbing and has thus saved the white hillside from further degredation. At the top of the hill there are various spas and hotels that will allow visitors to swim in the hot, bubbly water (it has been described as swimming in rather warm champagne!). If you open your eyes underwater, the minerals in the water are supposed to be good for your eyes. Pamukkale (correct spelling) is a World Heritage Site. The white travertinese forms when hot spring of high concenrated of CaCO3 evaporates and deposites on the surface.There are some man-made travertines that visitors can walk through to get the experience. The real travertines are now off limits, but can easily be viewed from many different angles, and are mostly only 10 - 20 feet away. In 2005, there is substantial construction (nearly completed) which will allow visitors better paths (handicap accessable) and seating to view the travertines. Lots of walking and altitude change. You must take off your shoes to walk in the water. Don't forget to check out the adjacent Heriopolis, ancient Roman city and cemetary, which is part of this site and part of the admission cost ($5 per person if I remember correctly). You can easily spend a day here. The site is also close to a confluence for you confluence hunters. There are lots of ruins at the site which is called Hierapolis and grave yards all over the place.