Pamukkale,Ege Bölgesi-Turkey
Pamukkale
Pamukkale, meaning Cotton Castle in Turkish, is a pleasant natural and tourist site composed of springs forming a tufa field.
This Pamukkale, symbolic of its Aegean region, is located in the south-west of Turkey and more precisely in the valley of the river Méandre, in the province of Denizli, fifteen kilometres north-east of the town of the same name.
Geological side
This enchanting landscape is made up of a succession of petrified basins and waterfalls over a hundred metres of difference in level. These terraces are undoubtedly a unique site of its kind.
This extraordinary phenomenon is the result of the millennial runoff of hot springs saturated with limestone salts. The springs, gushing out of the heart of the mountain, let the limestone evaporate and settle on the sides of the cliff, creating a succession of terraced basins and thus forming a "cotton castle". The bright white petrified limestone is adorned in some places with blue reflections, giving the illusion of being on a glacier. If you have the opportunity, come there at sunrise or sunset. It is a fascinating sight...
Historical side
The remains of this ancient city are precious evidence of the Roman and Byzantine civilisations. Aware of the curative properties of the region's spring waters, the Ancients chose to build a spa here under King Pergamon Eumenes II and it developed under the Romans and Byzantines. In turn, they enriched the city with various monuments such as the Hierapolis site.
On the therapeutic side
The hot springs of Pamukkale are rich in minerals, they are composed of calcium and magnesium sulphates, and bicabonate. The temperature of the water varies between 36C° and 38C° with a pH of 6. The total mineral content is 2430 mg/l. With all these characteristics these waters can be used for both bathing and drinking.
Pamukkale waters are recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, skin diseases, gynaecological disorders, extreme nervous and physical fatigue and for digestive and dietary disorders.
Barefoot in the fresh water, the pleasant feeling that comes over you from head to toe in the midst of this exceptional and magical nature, is obviously not to be missed!
