PAMUKKALE TRAVERTINES

The obvious attraction of Pamukkale is the gleaming calcium traventines which are now a world heritage site.Pamukkale actually means "Cotton Castle" and it's easy to see why, with the distinct shape of the traventines.

The terraces are formed by a chemical reaction that results in calcium carbonate sedimenting to form a traventine. The calcium rich waters are about 35.6 C when they first come from the ground and flow over the terraces into the beautiful pools.

Above the traventines there is a Municipal pool and the Roman ruins of Hierapolis with the biggest necropolis in the world.

THERMAL BATH

There is also a thermal bath above the travengines, with the spring water's temperature being about 36C. The water is rich in minerals, is believed to have strong medicinal properties and is excellent for your general well being. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy Pamukkale's therapeutic waters.

RED WATER In nearby Karahayit, the spring water comes from the ground at around 56C and is rich in iron. The flow of this water over the rock results in the red colouring. Many people come to admire it's beauty.

COLOSSAE & TRIPOLIS

Colossau is situated on the hills about 7km away from Pamukkale. There is not much remaining of this ancient city, but you will find some traces of the Roman period theatre and some foundation constructions can be seen.

TRIPOLIS
This antique city is situated 60km away from Pamukkale. It was first constructed for defense purposes, but was later reconstructed by the Romans. The Apollo cult was important in Tripolis. Now days you can see some remnants of the theatre, city walls and some of the other buildings.

HIERAPOLIS

This area was first settled because of these thermal waters. The city of Hierapolis was established in 190BC by the king of Pergamon, Eummanes II. The city was very prosperous under Roman rule and even more so under the Byzantines.

• The Basilica
You will find hte Basilica to the easy of the big bath right next to the road. It's thought that it was constructed after Hierapolis became the centre of the Bishopry. The erection of the Basilicas and churches lead to the city's adoption of the Roman architectural style.

• The Agora
Towards the southern gate, close the Gymnasium and big bath you will find the Agora. The bazaar and great meetings took place here. Inscriptions were found during the excavations of the Agora which indicated the importance of cotton growing and weaving to the area.

• The Colonnaded Street
The Colonnaded Street is about 1km long and runs through the whole city. In Hierapolis high day, it would have been lined by stoas and important buildings. At the northern and southern ends of the street, outside the Byzantium city walls, you will find momumental gates, which were constructed during the Roman period.

• The Great Bath Complex
Today the great bath houses the meseum. It's thought that the interior of the building was covered in marbal. The construction is typical of Roman Baths.

• Saint Philippe Martrium
Saint Philippe Martrium is Octogonal in shape and was built on the site where it is thought that St Philip was martyred. Saint Philip was one of the twelve Apostles, he worked hard to spread Christianity in Hierapolis and together with his sons, founded the first christian community.

LAODICEIA

The city is situated 6km from Pamukkale and was build in the 3rd century by King Antricos II. The city "Laodicia" was named after his wife Laodicee. Laodicia was an important site to see, as you will find one of the first seven churches built during the spread of Christianity. Laodicia's location was important, as it was situation on the road connecting the trading centres Ephesus and Miletos.

CARAVANSARY

Situated 7 km away from Pamukkale the Akhan Caravansary is a traditional travellers stop in between trade centres.

LAKE SALDA

Lake Salda is a mid-size crater lake in southwestern Turkey, within the boundaries of Yeşilova district of Burdur Province. It lies at a distance of about fifty kilometers to the west from the province seat Burdur.
Lake Salda is often included in the Turkish Lakes Region that extends across inner western to southern Anatolia, especially Isparta Province and Afyonkarahisar Province, although Lake Salda is geographically separate from the larger lakes, which are more to the west and, being a crater lake, is morphologically different from these tectonic lakes.

The lake area covers 4,370 hectares, and its depth reaches 196 meters, making it one of the deeper lakes in Turkey, if not the deepest. The lake sedimentary records show high resolution climate changes that are related to solar variability during the last millennium.[2]
The lake is a popular excursion spot for people across the region or from beyond, the more so due to the hydromagnesite mineral found in its coastal waters, which is believed to offer remedies for certain dermatological diseases. The shorelines, surrounded by black pine forests, are also popular among hunters, the game and the fowl available including quails, hares, foxes, boars and wild ducks, aside from the lake's fish. White sandy beaches, limpid water and seven crystal-white islets within the lake complete the scenery.
A township that starts almost at the shore to the southwest of the lake carries the same name, Salda. The local administrative seat of Yeşilova is located to the east of the lake at a distance of about four kilometers and Yeşilova municipality manages the lake's camping facilities.
Its peculiar morphology has led to a number of academic studies conducted on Lake Salda. The unusual alkaline nature of the lake means that is one of the few locations where ancient stromatolite algae still grows.[3] The environmental authority wants to protect Lake Salda with a huge national park project. The Salda Lake National Park is in construction and should be finished in 2023.

APHRODİSİAS

THE MEETING POINT OF LOVE AND BEAUTY
Aphrodisias, dedicated to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, is an ancient city with well-preserved monuments. Aphrodisias, considered to be one of Turkey's most important archeological sites, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. Aphrodisias, which was unearthed in the excavations by archaeologist Kenan Tevfik Erin in 1961-1990, was known by the statue of goddess Aphrodite in the Roman period and was also named after it. Another characteristic of the ancient city is that it was famous for its Sculpture School because of the rich marble deposits in the area. Aphrodisias, originally a small village, was founded in the 6th century in an area of prehistoric settlement dating back to 5000 B.C. The first temple of Aphrodite was also built in that period. The city was laid out again on a grid plan in the 2nd century and became an important religious center during this time.
When Aphrodisias was under the protection of the Roman Emperor Augustus in the 1st century B.C, it gained important monuments that are still standing. At the end of the 3rd century, it became one of the major mega cities of the Carian province in the Roman Empire. The city declined in importance in the 6th century and it was completely abandoned in the 12th century.

ATRACTION