Hierapolis-Pamukkale - Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site. This site is exceptional by vurtue of its superlative natural phenomena - warm, heavily mineralized water flowing from springs creating pools and terraces which are visually stunning. It is on this outstanding natural site that Hierapolis, an exceptional example of a Graeco-Roman thermal installation, was established. The Christian monuments of Hierapolis constitute an outstanding example of an early Christian architectural complex. Pamukkale, which literally means 'cotton castle', is the name the Turks gave to the extraordinary site of Hierapolis. The name was inspired by the preternatural landscape of bizarre forms created by calcite deposits from the hot springs that surface through a fault: mineral forests, petrified cascades and terraced pools of an immense natural nymphaeum. The ancients attributing healing powers to the hot springs (35 °C) equal to their power to metamorphose the landscape, they founded a thermal station on the site in the late 2nd century.

1. Pamukkale Pamukkale is located in the Inner Aegean region at a distance of 20 km from the town of Denizli in Turkey .

2. Pamukkale (Hierapolis) translates to Cotton Castle. The great attraction is the white immensity of the cliff with sculptured basins full of water and congealed waterfalls; they seem done of snow, cloud, cotton .

3. On approaching Pamukkale, the first thing you will see is a rock platform over 100 m in height rising up from the plain. The slopes of this hill, which look from a distance like a great white speck, are covered with large numbers of pools and terraces. As you come nearer, you will begin to see this natural phenomenon, which resembles a frozen waterfall, in greater detail .

4. The scientific explanation is the hot thermal places that lie under the mount provoke the calcium carbonate spill, that makes the forms as solid as Travertino marble.

5. The temperature of the water forming the travertines, which issues from the hot springs on the hills above, falls to around 33°C lower down.

6. Although the water flowing from the hot springs on the southern slopes of Çaldað rapidly loses heat during its flow through the open channels, it is still hot enough to make it possible for one to bathe (throughout six months of the year) in the open-air swimming pools and on the terraces.

8. On emerging to the surface, the solution of calcium-carbonate in the spring water decomposes into carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate and water. The carbon dioxide is released into the air while the calcium carbonate separates off from the water to form a grayish-white limestone sediment.

9. The beds of the water-courses are filled up with these limestone deposits and the water, confronted with these obstacles, splits up into several branches.

10. The water flows over the slopes into pools, the small basins surrounding them and finally into the fields below. It is in this way that these terraces over 100 m in height composed of layers of the accumulated limestone sediment have been gradually formed in the course of the ages.

11. As the limestone sediment reaches a certain level the water accumulates in pools and, as these pools fill up, overflows into smaller pools in the vicinity and from these flows into the small hollows and depressions around them.

12. The limestone layers in the pools rise up in steps, one above the other, and the continual flow of water keeps this process in operation. The stalactites form one of the most important features in the landscape.

13. With the formation of the layers and the emergence of steps and terraces one above the other, the water leaves the limestone deposit behind it and drips down in the form of stalactites, as in the Damlataþ caverns.

14. The calcium oxide in the water adds to the thickness of the white layers and widens the terraces, producing pools in fantastic shapes reminiscent of oyster shells or flower petals, while the small amount of sulphur and iron oxide produces stripes of yellow, red and green over the white of the limestone.

15. As much the cascades of calcium carbonate as the water change color in accordance with changes of the solar light that illuminates them, and the effect is surprising.

18. At times white, others blue, or green or other colors. The spectacle is flaring.

19. The continuous dynamics of the erosion and the transformation of the natural landscape result in an unusual environment.

23. PAMUKKALE is one of the most unique phenomena in nature.

24. We can call PAMUKKALE the 8 th Wonder of the world.