!!!Pamukkale

by Stas Sedov and Dmitry Moiseenko,
members of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

11 February 2016

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

One of the most popular natural sites of Turkey is Pamukkale. The name
means "cotton castle", but actually it has no reference to the
agricultural industry at all. The reason for such a name is the white
scenery of landscape that is actually associated with the mentioned
plant.

[{Image src='01_Pamukkale, Turkey.jpg' caption='Pamukkale, Turkey' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='547'}]

The water flowing down from Pamukkale hill creates the system of
limestone-walled pools. The dazzling white terraces, that are actually
travertine formations, appeared due to the deposition of salt that comes
from springs rich with calcium. The AirPano team has already created
panoramas of travertine terraces in Huanglong, China, so that now you
can compare them to similar terraces on the other side of the planet.

[{Image src='02_Pamukkale, Turkey.jpg' caption='Pamukkale, Turkey' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='568'}]

In Pamukkale, there are 17 hot water and mud springs that have the
temperature ranging from 35 C° to 100 C° and contain different minerals,
making it possible to heal micro wounds and prevent a lot of different
diseases. The baths that now are open for tourists are named in honour
of Cleopatra. But most probably the legend of Cleopatra who is said to
have enjoyed the springs of Pamukkale is the fable created by local
guides: there is no historical evidence proving the fact that the
Egyptian ruler actually visited this place.

[{Image src='03_Pamukkale, Turkey.jpg' caption='Pamukkale, Turkey' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='605'}]

However, it is reliably known that people started inhabiting this hill
back in the second millennium B.C. The city was called Hierapolis
(Ancient Greek for "Holy City"). Unfortunately, the earthquake that
occurred in the 1st century left the city almost in ruins; but
eventually Hierapolis was restored and regained its fame. It was a
health resort for well-off people who were looking for medical
treatment. They used to come here from all corners of the Roman Empire,
but some of them actually died here. They were buried according to the
traditions of their native land. As a result the necropolis of
Hierapolis with its diversity of tombs and grave monuments became the
biggest ancient necropolis in Turkey.

[{Image src='04_Pamukkale, Turkey.jpg' caption='Pamukkale, Turkey' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='622'}]

The Christian apostle Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, was
crucified here by the Romans in AD 80. An octagonal temple was built on
the spot where he is supposed to have been buried. Pamukkale can also be
proud with one of the biggest antique theatres in Turkey — it has the
capacity of 10-12 thousand people. You can also witness the ruins of
temples dedicated to Apollo and Pluto (the ruler of the underworld).

[{Image src='05_Antique theatre of Pamukkale.jpg' caption='Antique theatre of Pamukkale' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='575'}]

No wonder that such a place with a great number of historical, religious
and natural monuments was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even though you can't take a bath virtually, you may at least enjoy the
beauty of these places with the help of our panoramas.

[{Image src='06_Pamukkale, Turkey.jpg' caption='Pamukkale, Turkey' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='563'}]

\\ \\
[15 Panoramas of Pamukkale|Geography/Asia/Turkey/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Pamukkale]










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