"قلعة القطن"..اكتشف أرض العجائب البيضاء في تركيا

"Pamukkale" - Discover the White Wonderland of Turkey

A Serene Oasis of White Terraces and Ancient Wonders

From a distance, Pamukkale resembles a ski resort, with its glistening white slopes and a cluster of tourists at the top, seemingly preparing to ski down the slopes into the valley below. However, the reason behind its seemingly frozen nature, even when temperatures reach 37 degrees Celsius in the middle of summer, is not snow. These extraordinary and captivating formations, nestled deep within the sun-drenched hills of southwest Turkey, are made of calcium carbonate deposited by thermal waters.

The water that forms these terraces sometimes flows from the ground at boiling point, creating a mesmerizing spectacle for visitors who explore the upper reaches of Pamukkale. Most visitors spend their time enjoying the captivating views, either by paddling or basking in some of the most photogenic pools on the planet.

A Journey Through Time and Beauty

The limestone slopes and pools of Pamukkale, filled with milky blue mineral waters, are an ideal spot for Instagram-worthy photos, especially at sunset, when the golden rays cast hues of pink on their undulating surface. While Pamukkale has become an iconic tourist destination in recent years, its allure has attracted people for centuries.

Greeks, followed by Romans, were drawn to its healing thermal waters, revering it as a gateway to the underworld. Today, Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, which stretches across the plateau above the white terraces, are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing countless visitors. Many people visit for a few hours, but spending at least a day in this geological and historical playground is highly recommended.

Exploring the Geological Marvel

Entering from the south gate of the plain, you might feel a touch of disappointment initially. There isn't much to see immediately, except for some ancient collapsed pillars, a recurring sight in this part of Turkey. The vastness of Hierapolis and Pamukkale means reaching the spectacular sights takes some time, but it also makes the grand reveal even more exciting.

After a 10-minute stroll along the paved paths from the gate, a line of trees appears, bordering the edge of the plateau. Even if you know what awaits, there's still a sense of awe when you finally reach the top and the splendor of the white landscape unfolds before you.

Over millennia, calcium carbonate deposited by the flowing thermal waters has reshaped this hill, forming white terraces that give the area its name: "Pamukkale," which means "cotton castle" in Turkish. These terraces once housed numerous natural blue pools. Now, most are dry and closed, leading to some complaints that the site no longer lives up to the pictures seen in previous years.

Serene Pools and Ancient Ruins

Despite this, there is still a remarkable series of serene pools flowing down the hill. It's a pleasant spot for paddling or lounging in the shallow waters and mud, which is said to have therapeutic properties.

To explore the terraces, visitors need to remove their shoes as the rock is uneven and slippery in places. However, it doesn't take long to reach the first series of pools where toes sink into the soft sediment. The upper terraces are the busiest, but for those willing to descend lower, there's a good chance of having a pool to themselves.

For a complete spa experience, there's the Antique Pool, a short five-minute walk from the top of the terraces. For an additional fee, visitors can access changing rooms, showers, and swim in the crystal-clear thermal waters above the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. The pool is filled with small bubbling springs, and the water is said to provide relief for skin, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatism. Drinking from the water pump here is also said to be beneficial for digestive ailments.

A Glimpse into the Past

You can spend hours exploring the ruins of Hierapolis, such as the expansive agora marketplace dating back to the 2nd century, the magnificent Roman theater, and the city's tombs. The scale of the site reveals the city's former power and popularity. A significant part of Hierapolis' standing stemmed from the geothermal forces beneath its surface.

While many Romans and Greeks came to the city for the warm waters, the site also held great religious significance as the location of the Plutonium, named after Pluto, the god of the underworld, also known as the "gateway to hell." Here, sacrificial animals, like bulls, would drop dead after inhaling the toxic carbon dioxide fumes rising from below. The priests who led them inside would emerge unharmed after learning to hold their breath.

Today, the Plutonium, located between the Antique Pool and the Roman Theater, is another highlight of a Hierapolis tour, one of many spots in the city worth visiting in the cool evenings when some of the attractions are brightly illuminated after dark.