Located in the Inner Aegean region, Pamukkale lies 12 miles from the town of Denizli. This beautiful and rapidly developing district in the Menderes Valley enjoys a temperate climate, providing conditions necessary for an ideal tourist destination.
Tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the Menderes River Basin created a number of very hot springs. One of these springs contains water with such a high mineral content, chalk in particular, that it has created the natural wonder now known as Pamukkale, or Cotton Fortress.
On approaching Pamukkale, you will see one of the most remarkable landscapes anywhere in Turkey. A rock platform more than 330 feet tall rises up from the plain. The slopes of this hill are covered with large numbers of pools and terraces. This natural phenomenon resembles a frozen waterfall. From the edge of every terrace and every step hang brilliantly white stalactites, and you can hear the splashing of the hot springs waters as they cascade over slopes where their flow is hindered only by clumps of oleanders.
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 Damlatas caverns. 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.
Now, as in ancient times, the water flows through open channels, and in cold weather you can see columns of mist dancing over the surface.
