Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" is a natural site and attraction in south-western Turkey in the Denizli Province. Pamukkale is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which enjoys a temperate climate over the greater part of the year.
The water is reputed to be beneficial to the eyes and skin and to alleviate the ills of rheumatism, asthma and dermatitis. It is also recognized as a World Heritage Sites together with Hierapolis. Only a few other places in the world resemble it. Hierapolis- Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988.

 

Highlights:  Hierapolis – Theatre – Aphrodisias - Pamukkale Museum

 

Hierapolis:
Hierapolis was the ancient city on top of the famous Pamukkale hot springs located in south-western Turkey near Denizli. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the 2nd century B.C., people came to soothe their ailing here. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi. The great baths were constructed with huge stone blocks without the use of cement, and consisted of various closed or open sections linked together. There are deep niches in the inner section of the bath, library, gymnasium and other closed or open locations. The complex, which was constructed in the 2nd century, constitutes a good example of vault-type architecture. The complex is now an archaeological museum.

 

Theatre:
The first theatre was constructed to the northeast above the northern gate, when the ancient city was destroyed by earthquake in 17 CE, during Hellenistic times.
After the earthquake of 60 CE, a new theatre was hollowed out of the slope of the hill further to the east during the reign of emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus with the remains and the seats of the old theatre. There were alterations during the reign of emperors Hadrian and Septimius Severus.

 

Aphrodisias:
Aphrodisias was a small city in Caria, Asia Minor. It is located near the modern village of Geyre, Turkey, about 230 km from İzmir. Aphrodisias was named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love, who had here her unique cult image, the Aphrodite of Aphrodisias. According to the Suda, before being known as Aphrodisias, the city had three previous names: Lelegon Polis ('city of the Leleges'),Megale Polis ('great city'), and Ninoë ),The city was later renamed Stauropolis ( 'city of the cross') in the Christian era. The city was built near a marble quarry that was extensively exploited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and sculptors in marble from Aphrodisias became famous in the Roman world.

 

Pamukkale Museum: 
Museum is located in several restored chambers of Roman Baths and exhibits archeological finds from Hierapolis, dating from the Hellenistic, Byzantine, and Roman periods.