PAMUKKALE
Turkey is also a land filled with natural wonders, shaped
through time and in some cases, with a little help from man.
One such natural creation happens to be one of the most
well-known tourist destinations in Turkey for centuries. It is the natural hot
springs known as Pamukkale, which is located in the Inner Aegean region at a
distance of 20 km from the town of Denizli.
This lovely, rapidly developing
district in the Menderes valley, which enjoys a temperate climate over the
greater part of the year, has all the conditions required for an ideal tourist
resort.
The tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the
Menderes river basin gave rise to the emergence of a number of very hot springs
and it is the water from one of these springs and it is the water from one of
these springs with its large mineral content, chalk in particular that has
created the natural wonder of Pamukkale.
Sitting atop Pamukkale is the site of Hierapolis, a name of
equal significance in Turkey. It was founded in the 2nd century B.C
and differs from all other ancient cities in being located, not on earth or
rock, but on solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for
centuries over this raised level plateau. “Hierapolis “can mean “sacred city “,
and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of
the large number of temples it contained.
During its prime, it also boasted
many architectural wonders, including elaborate baths, stadiums, amphitheatres
and palaces.it is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The great baths of Hierapolis were constructed with huge
stone blocks without the use of plaster 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 is now an Archaeological Museum The first
amphitheatre to be constructed to the
northeast as the ancient city was destroyed during Hellenistic times. Later
theatres were constructed on a slope further to the east in 2nd
century, with a capacity of 15000.It is now under restoration.
There remain to
this day several relics and statues depicting mythological figures. The
excavation of the Temple of Apollo has revealed that a huge temple was
constructed for Apollo in Hierapolis during the Hellenic period. The temple was
reconstructed in the 3rd century with a smaller area and only its
marble floors remains.
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