P A M U K K A L E

Pamukkale Turkey, the Cotton Castle

Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle in Turkish, is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of Turkey. Pamukkale is a cliff of white travertine cascades, or tiers of stalactites and natural swimming pools formed over thousands of years by the mineral and calcium rich hot streams which run down the hill. The deposits which are a jelly-like density must be allowed to dry in order to form the travertine, therefore swimming in the natural cascading pools is forbidden to prevent erosion. The natural springs are said to be therapeutic and can be accessed by specified public pools or the Ancient Pool (1st Century AD) which flows at 50 liters per second.