PAMUKKALE

Located 14 km to the north of the provincial center of Denizli, Pamukkale lies on a hill dominating the Plain of Menderes at an elevation of 160 m. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Pelasgian language is "Swaura," meaning "Sacred City". Indeed, the city was subsequently Hellenized by the Macedonians and Byzantines and called Hierapolis again to mean "sacred city."

Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), is considered today the eighth wonder of the world. It is presumed that the travertines were formed in the course of a process which lasted 15 thousand years. As the water, having a temperature of 34 degrees Calcius, gushing from the underground springs at an elevation of 160 m off the plain of Menderes, with calciumbicarbonate content, flows down the hillsides, carbonmonoxide gas emanates, and the calciumbicarbonate, dissolving thereby, is sedimented, thus forming the white-coloured travertines. Therefore, the area is called Pamukkale (Cotton Castle).

As, in Karahayit located at a distance of 5 km to the north, the underground water having a temperature of 68 degrees Celcius, with iron, magnesium and sulphur contents, flows down the slopes, it issues carbonmonoxide gas in the like manner, thus forming red coloured travertines with the sedimentation of the iron compounds. This place is called Kirmizisu (Red Water).

Today the area is one of the foremost tourism resorts thanks to its Pamukkale travertines, accommodation facilities, thermal baths and natural and historical assets.

The city of Hierapolis, which was founded on this site in the 2nd century B.C., 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" means "sacred city", and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained. Up to the reign of Augustus the city was officially described on coins as Hierapolis, the city of temples, but it seems reasonable to assume that this was not the original meaning of the name. Today, the theatre, the Apollo temple and the necropolis are the most important places to see in Hierapolis.

Turkish Heritage Travel offers private tours in Pamukkale area.

PRIVATE PAMUKKALE TOURS

Private Pamukkale Tour (Half Day)

You will be picked from your hotel at 09:30 and start your tour with Pamukkale Travertines. Here you will walk with bare-foot on the travertines. After that your guide will lead you to Hierapolis ancient city and tell the history of theatre, Apolo Temple, roman bath, Necropolis and other parts of the city. You may also swim in the historic pool of Hierapolis.

Tour starts at 09:30 and finish at 12:30. The rate for private Pamukkale Tour is 50 Euro per person including professional guide and entrance fees. There is 10 Euro extra admission fee for historic pool swim. The hours are flexible in this tour.

Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to make booking

Private Aphrodisias Tour

The tour will start at 08:30 from your hotel. We will drive to city of Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias was the capital of the province of Lydia. In ancient times, the attractive marble buildings of Aphrodisias no doubt shone out, as they do now, from amidst the rich vegetation of the Dandalaz valley with its almond, pomegranate and poplar trees.

The wealth and cultural and political importance of the city is clearly attested by the size and magnificence of the buildings of which it is composed.The name Aphrodisias is derived from Aphrodite, the goddess of nature, beauty, love and plenty, and was one of the most famous cult centres of the goddess. Aphrodisias was one of the foremost cities of the age, surrounded by fertile fields producing every type of foodstuff. It also possessed a flourishing wool and cotton industry, highly developed commercial, political, religious and cultural institutions, very fine tradition of arts and crafts, world-famous schools of philosophy and sculpture and a large and energetic body of citizens.

In your tour, your guide will give information about the defence walls, The Temple of Aphrodite, Tetrapylon, Odeon and Bishop's Palace, Agora, Baths of Hadrian, Theatre, Stadium and The Museum of Aphrodisias. After the tour we will drive back to hotel in Pamukkale.

Tour starts at 08:30 and finish around 14:00. The rate is 60 Euro per person including professional guide and entrance fees. The hours are flexible in this private tour.

Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to make booking