Pamukkale (Hierapolis)

Abstract

Pamukkale, also called Castle of Cotton, offers a highly picturesque and unique mix of natural beauty with its amazing limestone formations. Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is designated as a mix of cultural and natural heritage having outstanding universal value, by the UNESCO World Heritage Center. The ancient city of Hierapolis, regarded as a model for spas of the present day, represents the distinctiveness of the place. The ancient remains like the City Walls, Theater, St. Philip's Martyrium, Churches, Great Bath Complex, Temple of Apollo, and Necropolis are worth seeing in and around Hierapolis. It is striking that hot springs with therapeutic powers accompany these ruins so harmoniously. This composition of culture and nature creates a marvelous panorama with a unique visual experience attracting many visitors from all around the globe. It is wealth of history that makes Pamukkale a popular tourist destination in Turkey. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.