Ephesus & Pamukkale Tours

In the shadows of the clouds and a great share of natural beauty, The White Heaven Pamukkale has always been the centre of interest with its unique curative springs and cultural heritage since the ancient times.

In the antiquity, espacially healing waters were the main reason to be settled, and for this reason to be settled, and for this reason the city of Hierapolis was established by the Romans and spectetular buildings of that period were built. The city sometimes tells a story of a beautiful girl or great wars of ambitious Gods. Pamukkale has a noble manner related to the myths, and a stunning beauty with its healing waters and unique travertines in addition to its gorgeous architecture. You will take a trip to the ages in each page of this volume in which you can experience the beauty and the taste of those myths.

A brief view to Pamukkale

Temple of Apollon

Temple of Apollon is settled on Plutonion which is known as an old and spirital cave. This place is the oldest spiritual centre where Apollon met the goddess Kybele. The ruins of top layer of the Temple are believed to have been there since the 3rd century but the base ruins are thought to be older till the late Hellenistic Age. The 70 meters temple is in a sacred land and it is also surrounded by Temenos Wall which is recognised with the marble entrance stairs. Temenos Wall leans a portico on its South, West and North sides. There are many beautiful grooved pillards. Although it is aged to a very old period, but the two ionic corinthian caps and some architectural pieces indicate an older temple ruins there. Read more…

Hierapolis / Pamukkale

Hierapolis ancient city, located in 2o km far from Denizli, is established by Pergamon King II. Eumenes (B.C. 197-159). It is included into Roman Empire with will of Pergamon King III. Attalos in B.C. 133. Although name of Hiearapolis of Hierapolis means “Sacred City”, it is also supposed that city is called Hierapolis due to Hiera, wife of Telephos, who is the legendary founder of Bergama. Ancient city is intimate to natural wonder Pamukkale, which is “white paradise”, arising from south slope of Çal Mount and constituted by the nature with accumulation of waters, containing calcium oxide. Hierapolis is also first degree archaelogical and natural site area, which is required to be protected, with is such position, at the same time. As it is believed that hot water sources here have the healing feature for some diseases, it becomes and important cult and a settlement center in the ancient age. It has important position with its thermal springs in these days. City often witnesses earthquake events and is toppled substantially by the earthquakke, occurded in the period of emperor Tiberius (14-37) in A.D. 17. Reestablished city is developed very much in A.D. 2nd and 3rd Century. As there are many Jewish people in the city, it affects Christianity promulgation here quickly. Philip the Apostle is killed here in A.D. 80. Hierapolis becomes the bishopric center in the Christianity period. Also, a great church is constructed for the name of Philip the Apostle. First excavations are made in Hiearapolis for shor period by German teams at the end of 19th Century. Hierapolis excavations are carried out by Italian archaelogist since 1957. The most magnificent opus of Hierapolis ancient city is its theatre, which is protected well. Theatre stage, which is constructed in A.D. 2nd Century and its one section is repaired and serves as Museum building in these days and also works, unearthed from excavations, are exhibited here. Extant remains of Temple of Apollo, which is constructed in Late Hellenistic period., belong to A.D. 3rd Century. God Apollo is head god of the city. A monumental fountain structure, dated back A.D. 3rd Century, is located in front the temple. Moreover, there is a cave called Plutonium and emitting poisonous gases, near the temple. Christanity basilica, composed of three nave is consturcted in A.D. 6th Century. St. Philip Martyrium, located in the east of city, belongs to 5th Century and is an octagonal structure in the sizes of 20x20m.

There is a main avenue, dividing the city at northern-southern direction. Byzantine Gate and Gate of Domitian, constructed by the order of Julius Frontinus, who is Western Anatolian Council of Roman  Empire in A.D. 82-83 years, are located on this avenue. The colonnaded street here belongs to the period of emperor Domitianus (A.D. 81-96) The structure, which is called northern baths,must have been constructed at the end of A.D. 2nd Century and at the beginning of 3rdk Century. This structure is turned into the north of city, has the greatest and best protected necropolis area among ancient cities in Anatolia. Tumulus, sarcophagus and house type tombs are located in necropolis, developing from Late Hellenistic period to Early Christianity period.

Truly surreal and spectacular in its own right, the geological phenomenon that is Pamukkale, literally “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is also the site of the remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. With such a unique combination of natural and man-made wonders Pamukkale-Hierapolis has been made a Unesco World Heritage site since 1988..

The terraces are the result of thousands of years of deposits left by calcium-rich natural springs coursing down the mountains. (In nearby Karahayit, springs rich in iron and sulfur leave reddish metallic deposits at the point of exit.) Nowhere else in the world can visitors enjoy exploring both picturesque travertine formations, built up over the millennia from limestone deposited by the abundant hot springs, and the colonnaded streets, temples, bath houses, necropolis and theatre of the remains of an idyllically located Greek-Roman spa city, Hierapolis. You can even bathe, as the Romans once did, in a picturesque pool filled with warm (around 36C), mineral rich waters and swim amongst submerged columns of great antiquity.

The hot springs at Pamukkale are believed to cure rheumatism and other ailments and have attracted visitors for millennia, as illustrated by the ruins of the Roman spa city of Hierapolis, whose well-preserved theater and necropolis lie within sight of Pamukkale.

Whose name means “sacred city,” was founded by Eumenes II, the King of Pergamum, in the second century BC, and its name was derived from Hiera, the beautiful wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamum. The city was attached to the Asian province of Roman Empire in 129 BC and administrated by proconsuls. Hierapolis played an importance role in spreading Christianity in Asia Minor, and it was the place where Phillip, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, died. For this reason, Hierapolis became an important religious centre in the fourth century AD. Later, it assumed the title as the Guide of the East, and saw its most brilliant years between 96 and 162 AD.

History and nature meet in an extraordinary manner at Pamukkale. Hierapolis contains the Necropolis, the Domitian Gate, the Temple of Oktokonus set in a square area, the theatre with reliefs depicting the mythology of Apollo and Artemis, the Frontinus Street, the biggest Agora in Asia Minor, the North Byzantine Gate, the South Byzantine Gate, the Gymnasium, the Fountain with Triton, the Apollo sacred site, the water channels and Nymphea, the city walls, the Martyrium of St. Phillip and bridge, the Column Church, the ruins of Basilica and Roman Baths; all still standing in their glory.