Pamukkale - Pamukkale

Pamukkale is a city of Aegean region in Turkey.

To know

Pamukkale, which in Turkish means "cotton castle", it is a natural site in south-western Turkey, in the province of Denizli, close to the homonymous settlement. The water that flows is supersaturated with calcium ions and carbon dioxide, which with the water give rise to the characteristic formations, consisting of thick white layers of limestone and travertine along the slope of the mountain, making the area similar to a fortress. of cotton or ice falls.

Pamukkale is an important Turkish center for tourists traveling from the coasts ofAntalya he was born in Aegean Sea to see this place which, paired with Hierapolis, is one of the World Heritage Sites ofUNESCO. There are few places in the world like this, for example Mammoth Hot Springs in USA, the thermal baths of Saturnia in Italy, is Huanglong in the Chinese province of Sichuan (another UNESCO site).

The underground volcanic activity that generated the thermal springs also allows carbon dioxide to escape generating what is called "Plutonium", formed entirely of pluto, and which means "place of the god of death".

When to go

The Menderes River Valley, in which Pamukkale is located, creates a temperate climate for much of the year. In summer, the reflections of the sun can bother the eyes, while in winter some pools of water are very cold and having to walk barefoot, the experience may not be the most pleasant.

Background

The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle which covers an area of ​​2700 meters in length and 160 in height.

Unfortunately Pamukkale was abused in the late twentieth century, some hotels were built on top of the site, destroying part of the ruins of Hierapolis. Hot water was channeled in order to fill the artificial swimming pools of the hotels. The discharges of the latter for years poured the wastewater directly onto the site, contributing in a decisive way to the darkening of the limestone tanks. An asphalted road was also built in the middle of the site to allow visitors to reach the top of the formation by bike, motorcycle or on foot. Furthermore, the latter were allowed to wash themselves inside the limestone tanks using industrial detergents, further aggravating the problem.

As a result of the damage caused, theUNESCO intervened, preparing a recovery plan in an attempt to reverse the darkening process. The hotels were demolished, and the street covered with artificial swimming pools which are still accessible, unlike the rest, by barefoot tourists. A small trench was dug along the edge, in order to recover the water and avoid its dispersion. The brown parts are whitened by leaving them in the sun, in the absence of water for several hours a day. For this reason, many swimming pools are empty. Some areas are covered with water for a couple of hours a day, according to the schedule shown at the top of the hill. In addition, the site is constantly monitored by employees who prevent visitors from abusing the places. Thanks to these interventions, the place is slowly regaining its natural white color.

How to orient yourself

The city center of Pamukkale is located in the flat area. To the north, in front of it, rises the mountain shaped by the limestone of the thermal waters that give life to the beautiful waterfalls and travertine pools. On the top of the mountain is the archaeological site that shows the (reconstructed) remains of ancient Hierapolis inside which there is a museum and a spa.

How to get

Anyone arriving by bus or train will find themselves passing by Denizli before reaching the city. The connection between these two urban centers is covered in about 40 minutes by dolmuş at the price of 3.5 TL (January 2014). By purchasing a bus ticket to medium / long-haul destinations, this route is almost always included (to be verified at the time of purchase).

A taxi from Denizli can cost around 50/60 TL (2013).

By plane

The nearest airport is that of Denizli located about 65 km and one hour journey. It has two daily flights to / from Istanbul. An alternative is Adnan Menderes Airport in Smyrna (Izmir) but it is 252 km away (4 hours by car, 4/5 by bus and 6/7 by train; for train timetables consult the TCDD website^{[link previously not working]}).

On the train

The closest station is that of Denizli which at the moment only serves the station of Izmir. For information, call 90 258 2682831.

A very popular route for tourists is the Selçuk-Denizli / Pamukkale which can be covered in about 3 hours at the price of 14.50 TL per person (January 2014). There are six daily trains available for this route:

• Departures from Selçuk: 09:01, 10:18, 12:39, 17:05, 17:57, 19:33
• Departures from Denizli: 04:20, 05:45, 08:20, 12:50, 14:50, 17:15

For the updated and complete timetable of all intermediate stations, please refer to theofficial timetable of the TCDD^{[link previously not working]}

By bus

From to	Price (TL in 2013)	Duration (hours)	Distance (km)
Afyon	22	4	240
Ankara	35	7	480
Antalia	25	5	300
Bodrum	25	4½	290
Bursa	42	9	532
Eğirdir	25	4½	180
Fethiye	25	3	280
Isparta	17	9	175
Istanbul	40-65	12	665
Izmir	21	4	250
Konya	35	6	440
Marmaris	23	3	185
Nevşehir	40	11	674
Selçuk	20	3	195

All major bus companies serve Denizli and some of them include transportation in dolmuş to their office in the city center. From there they will often also accompany you to the hotel (even if the hotels offer to shuttle you for free).

Many of the routes listed on the side are covered by multiple companies and with multiple buses per day. The exact times and prices must be checked with the individual companies. In any case, it is always good to show up 15/20 minutes before the scheduled time to avoid losing it. The seats are pre-assigned so if you manage to make the purchase in time you are certainly entitled to a seat (without an assigned seat it is not possible to enter). In high season it is advisable to book the route well in advance.

On board there is a catering service (water, soft drinks and snacks) served by a travel assistant.

One of the busiest routes is the one that links Pamukkale (always passing through Denizli) to Göreme/Nevşehir due to lack of convenient alternatives.

How to get around

The famous travertine pools (together with the archaeological site of Hierapolis) are on the edge of the city and the city is so small that it can be crossed on foot in 5/10 minutes. However, there are many hotels that will offer a free ride with their vehicle to the furthest entrance to the site so that you can then walk back out of the main entrance overlooking Pamukkale.

What see

• Travertine limestone cascades. 20 TL and includes access to the ruins (January 2014). This is undoubtedly the attraction that drives the vast majority of tourists to visit Pamukkale. These scenic limestone formations are not only beautiful, but also pleasant because they are formed by thermal waters in which you can also immerse yourself, despite the fact that these natural pools are not very deep. In order to preserve the beauty of the place, it is strictly forbidden to walk there in shoes, which can be carried by hand or left under the surveillance of one of the many police officers who guard the area. The areas where the water flows are comfortable to walk on, while others where it partially stagnates can be angular but not sharp. Care should be taken to walk in the wholly white areas because the darker ones indicate the presence of moss which is slippery. In winter, the pools further downstream (i.e. further away from the source) can be particularly cold. The waterfalls can be visited independently or with organized tours and can also be visited at night. 

• Ruins of Hierapolis. 20 TL and includes access to the falls (January 2014). Architectural heritage of the ancient city: a very well preserved Roman theater with about 12,000 seats, a vast necropolis and the martyrion of the apostle Philip, whose complex occupies the entire hill overlooking the city. The Italian archaeological mission of Hierapolis of Phrygia has operated in the archaeological site since 1957. The city dates back to the Hellenistic age but was rebuilt between the end of the 1st and 3rd centuries after the disastrous earthquake of 60 AD. With the construction of the Byzantine fortification walls at the end of the 4th century, the northern part of the city, including the commercial agora, was excluded from the urban perimeter and used as a quarry for building material to be reused. In this phase, Hierapolis becomes an important center of Christianity and along the main road axis an extra-urban church (Terme-Chiesa), the cathedral with the baptistery, the pillared basilica and, on the eastern hill, the martyrion of San Filippo apostolo were built. . It was the 6th century earthquake that demolished most of the city buildings, including the walls. Inside the ruins of Hierapolis there are many ancient structures that can be admired. Here are the main ones: 
  • Viale Frontinus. 
  • Agora. 
  • Byzantine gate to the north. 
  • Byzantine gate to the south. 
  • Gymnasium. 
  • Triton Fountain. 
  • House with Ionic Capital. 
  • Latrine. 
  • Sacred area of ​​Apollo. 
  • Water channels and the Nympheum. 
  • 37.92666729.1261111 Plutonium.  
  • Walls. 
  • theater. 
  • Martirium of San Filippo. 
  • Direkli Church. 
  • Area of ​​the necropolis. 
  • Hamam Basilica. 
  • Cathedral. 
  • Large spa complex (The Roman baths). 
  • Door of Domitian (The Frontinus Gate). 
  • Vestiges of the medieval Seljuk castle. 
• ^{[link not working]}Karahayit (5 minutes from Pamukkale). Other limestone formations of much smaller size than the main ones and with the particularity of being red instead of white. If you want, you can also make muds on the spot. 

Events and parties

• International festival of music and culture (International Pamukkale Music and Culture Festival), ☎ 90 (258) 265 21 37. From 1 to 30 September. In 1995, in response to the damage caused to the beautiful falls, a festival was organized with artists and singers from all over the world. Since then, this event takes place every year in September. As there is no official website, it is necessary to contact the Denizli institutions for more information on the current edition. 

What to do

• Free thermal bath. Inside the limestone pools of the travertine waterfalls it is allowed to bathe in the hot thermal waters. 
• Thermal bath for a fee. 32 TL (January 2014). Inside what was the ancient swimming pool (antik havuz or antique pool) there is a spa with bars, souvenir shops, etc. Once you have paid for the ticket you have the right to stay in the water for two hours, but when there are not many people you can also abound. The depth of the water varies and in any case the deepest part where it is not touched is separated by many submerged rocks and ancient columns. The property offers a locker (against a deposit), changing rooms and a hairdryer to dry your hair (essential in the winter). It is not possible to access the spa with any type of footwear, so either they can be left in the locker or left in the shoe racks placed in front of the tub. The person who checks the tickets before entering the tub should also be the one who makes sure that you find what you left behind when you leave. 
• Peeling with fish. 15 TL for 20 minutes (January 2014). Inside the spa there is a stand with several tanks containing a multitude of fish that will take care of peeling your feet (and a bit of tickling!) As soon as you immerse them in the tank. 
• Paragliding. In addition to the classic excursions, local agencies also offer the possibility of paragliding as a couple with a teacher, to fly over all the natural and architectural beauties of Pamukkale from above. 

Shopping

The Pamukkale area /Denizli it is famous for cotton and household items. Many of the typical Turkish souvenirs are produced here so they typically have lower prices.

Many establishments do not accept (or at least obstruct) credit cards but often accept the euro instead of the Turkish lira. To withdraw cash it is possible to find a series of ATMs belonging to different banking institutions, in the main street that separates the city from the waterfalls, the Memet Akif Ersoy bulvari.

How to have fun

In the low season the city is practically deserted at night. In high season, thanks to the large influx of tourists, the local bars are busy until a certain time.

Where to eat

The best and freshest food can be found in small family-run guesthouses, but for a large open-air restaurant where you can eat borek, the Turkish pancakes and overlooking the whole valley, you can try Alis on the main road, just before entering the town.

Wines produced in Pamukkale are slowly gaining ground, although in general Turkish wine may not be appreciated by everyone.

Moderate prices

• Kayaş, Atatürk Caddesi 3. main courses cost around 5 to 15 TL. open for lunch and dinner. Located in the city center close to all major hotels it serves Turkish and international cuisine (Korean, Japanese, etc ...) in a traditional yet trendy setting. Equipped with a large screen and therefore also suitable for socializing and for simply having a drink. 

High prices

• Mehmet's Heaven, Atatürk Caddesi 25 (on the main road near the travertines). main courses cost around 20 TL. open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From its back porch, where you can also sit on large cushions, there is an excellent view over Pamukkale. Good food and welcoming owner. 

Where stay

There are small family-run guesthouses in the village south of the travertines. Most have pools filled with the greenish warm water from the travertines. They also often offer very delicious Turkish food.

Average prices

• Melrose House Hotel, Vali Vekfi Ertürk Cad. No: 8, ☎ 90 258 272 22 50, fax: 90 258 272 31 20, @[email protected]. 35/40 € for a single / double with breakfast. Family-run pension in the eastern part of the city, with a small pool on the street side and with all rooms equipped with air conditioning. They provide their own means of transport to accompany guests to the Pamukkale park entrance or to the dolmuş stop to / from Denizli. They only accept cash payments: both Turkish Lira and Euros. The owner speaks very well English while his collaborators do their best to communicate and make themselves understood. 
• Artemis Yoruk Hotel, Atatürk Cad. 48 / A, ☎ 90 258 272-26-74, fax: 90 258 272-26-75, @[email protected]. 12/20 € for a single / double with breakfast. 9/14 € for the dormitory, also with breakfast depending on the period but along the road there are similar but much cheaper accommodations.. Located just in front of the bus stop with a swimming pool, a nice garden and a rooftop restaurant serving traditional Turkish cuisine. Rooms with private bathroom, TV and air conditioning. The owners speak English. 
• Venüs Hotel, Pamuk Mah. Hasan Tahsin Cad. 16, ☎ 90 258 272-21-52, fax: 90 258 272-29-93, @[email protected]. 20/28 € for a single / double with breakfast. A comfortable hotel with wireless internet access, a swimming pool filled with travertine thermal water. Rooms with private bathroom and air conditioning. The staff can speak English. 
• Hotel Dört Mevsim (dört mevsim), ☎ 90 258 272-20-09, fax: 90 258 272-26-32, @[email protected]. 10/18/26 € for a dorm / single / double all with breakfast included. They accept credit cards. Check in: 7:30-23:30, check-out: 11:30. Very friendly and welcoming family-run hotel with wifi connection, swimming pool, free parking, babysitting service and air conditioning. Pets are accepted at no additional cost. They allow camping on their backyard. The maid serve a delicious dinner for a fee. 

Safety

Pamukkale is as small as it is quiet. Some merchants even leave their merchandise out of the shop all night confident that no one will come and steal anything from them. It is desirable that tourists do not make them change their way of thinking as time goes by.

In case of emergency, the following local numbers (in addition to national numbers) can be called:

• Denizli Prefecture, ☎ 90 258 2656125, @[email protected]. 
• Police headquarters, ☎ 90 258 2651425. 
• ^{[link not working]}State Hospital, ☎ 90 258 2639311. 

How to keep in touch

Internet

Most of the hotels offer free wifi connection.

Keep informed

• Touristic office (At the upper entrance to the Hierapolis site). Mon-Sat 8: 00-19: 00. 

In any case, all the structures will be able to provide adequate information on how to visit the city and its surroundings independently. With regard to organized tours, it is preferable to compare several offers before purchasing.

Around

• Denizli - It is the largest city located in its surroundings, as well as the primary point of arrival for all those who reach the city by bus or train.

• Kaklik Caves (Kaklık Mağarası) (30 minutes from Pamukkale). Entrance 2 TL. Considered the underground Pamukkale because it recreates the same limestone formations in the mountain in front of the city inside a cave. The cave can be visited on foot on a walkway and you cannot immerse yourself in the water. Outside there is a tub to immerse yourself in, even if aesthetically it is a whole other thing than those of Pamukkale. The easiest way to get there is with an organized tour or by car; it is also possible to get there by local transport but it is not immediate. 

Useful information

Often the dolmuş that gives Denizli he will take you to Pamukkale for free and will drop you off in front of a local travel agency and some of these agencies may lie about the price of entrance tickets to local attractions (by inflating them) making their cheap request for an organized tour appear more palatable. Same thing with bus and train prices, making these seconds appear much more expensive (in favor of their services), when in reality trains cost less than half.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Pamukkale
• Commons contains images or other files on Pamukkale

Usable : the article respects the characteristics of a draft but in addition it contains enough information to allow a short visit to the city. Use i correctly listing (the right type in the right sections).