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| Pamukkale, the natural
wonder |
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Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Turkey and and with the nearby ancient city Hierapolis it has another tourist attraction.
Dozens of coaches daily make the excursions from all over the country. From a distance this whitish mass stands
in evident contrast with the color of the surrounding uplands and brings to mind enormous stretches of cotton.
On approaching this incredible succession of terraces, one discovers the existence of basins full of mineral water
which flow into other natural basins below, and are the source of stupendous mineral conglomerations in the form
of fantastic stalactites, sometimes of considerable size gild resembling organ pipes.
The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen waterfalls. It looks
as if it's made out of snow or cloud or balls of cotton. Stay over-night if you can, to enjoy its tranquillity
early in the morning or in the evening.
The continuous dynamics of erosion and transformation of the natural landscape has resulted in an ambiance unequaled
elsewhere and which constitutes one of the most unique phenomena to be found in nature.
The scientific explanation is that hot thermal springs pouring down the hillside deposit calcium carbonate, which
solidifies as travertine. If you take off your shoes, you can gingerly roam the terraces or paddle in the pools.
The Turks have dubbed this geological fairyland Pamukkale, Turkish for "cotton castle".
Dating back to the
Calcholithic age, this was the site of a settlement of the earliest communities, and changed hands continuously,
becoming the center of various civilizations in different time periods. |
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