DAY 22 - DENIZLI

22) TUESDAY, 19 JULY 1977 : 285KMS. - DENIZLI
 

From IZMIR , we went on to SELCUK, EPHESUS , where there are  many  ancient ruins of the Greeks empire remaining to welcome  many visitors as  this area is a large city. 

Route from IZMIS (S) via SELCUK (T) to DENIZLI (U)

We drove to enjoy  the  beach and the sea at KUSADASI, then coming back on the same way to DENIZLI ( via NAZILLI).

 

Ephesus - Photo : sonyaandtravis.com / Bing images search

Arriving DENIZLI about 6.00 pm.,  we continued right away to visit the beautiful PAMUKKALE to the atmosphere of the waterfalls basin of limestone full of  warm spring water that come out naturally. The water overfills the basins and flows down , creating stalactite terrace-like of the  cliffs layers.

Pamukkale - Photo : swisseduc.ch - Stromboli / Bing images search

Stalactite appearance is like  mushroom attached to the cliffs. Glittering white limestone and colorful stalactites that look like blooming mushroom are exceptional  beautiful. 

They look like flat trays with low edge, some are filled with water and some are dried off.  Whenever  the wind blows touching the water surface, it causes  dancing ripples in the wind. Supremely beautiful !

Limestone terraced pools - Photo : Bing images search

At this place in the year 190 B.C.  , the Romans built their city called HIERAPOLIS and built up by the Roman baths because there are  warm water springs.  But in the year 60 B.C., the city 's earthquake damaged HIERAPOLIS and the whole city collapsed.  Then  it was rebuilt as it was situated on the route of travel from north to south and from east to west, i.e. from MESOPOTAMIA to the ROMAN EMPIRE , which were in their high glories in that era. Thus, this city was so important and a lot of people passed by.

HIERAPOLIS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hierapolis (Ancient Greek: Ἱεράπολις, lit. "Holy City") was an ancient city located on hot springs in classical Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and currently comprise an archaeological museum designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

The main thoroughfare of Hierapolis

The hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BC, with many patrons retiring or dying there. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, most famously that of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos, which bears the earliest known example of a crank and rod mechanism.

Pools in Hierapolis

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,[clarification needed] including the bath, library, and gymnasium.

Interesting You Tube of PAMUKKALE