Pamukkale... Wait, what is that?

Tourist walking on the Calcium. Dr. Ramey, Michelle, Haley, Jared, and Sarah T. wad through the hot spring current

When I first got the itinerary for this trip naturally I went to google and searched all of the cities we would be visiting. Pamukkale was one of the cities that immediately caught my attention. I was fascinated with the beauty, but I was also a little confused. Is it snow, or is it something else? Some of the pictures on google show people in their bathing suits and so I thought to myself “Liz, that can’t be snow.” I started to research what exactly is on the cliffs of Pamukkale. With some research I found out that it is calcium that is on the cliffs of Pamukkale, and there is hot spring water running down the calcium cliffs. It is so beautiful.

 I have been so excited to come here and see the white cliffs with the hot water running over them creating pretty light blue pools along the mountain. Throughout the whole trip I was so excited to see the cliffs and was counting down to the day that we were able to visit Pamukkale. When this day came, I was so excited when we pulled up to the site and were getting ready to get out and explore Pamukkale.

Looking down the white calcium cliffs of Pammukale

 So… let’s talk about the history about Pamukkale, which means “Cotton Castle.” I didn’t really know that there was also a thriving city of Pamukkale as well as the calcium pools. Pamukkale, or as it’s is also known as ancient Hierapolis, has been around since the 2^nd and 3^rd century. Selucids developed Laodicea 10 km from Pamukkale, and then this became the healing center. Pamukkale is also about 10 miles away from Colossae. Later on it became a city called Hierapolis.

When you walk into Pamukkale you can see a sign that shows how the original city looked. On this map it shows two theaters. One of the theaters was Greek, and one of them was Roman. It has also been cool learning about the difference between the Romans and Greek theaters while on this trip and being able to recognize the difference when we visit the different theaters. We were able to see the Roman theater because archeologists rebuilt the theater (the Greek theater is not excavated and remains buried under hills. This theater was beautiful. We hiked up the hill and then got up to the top of the theater we looked down on the theater, and it was one of the most beautiful ones we have seen on the trip so far. The stage was rebuilt really well and they even still have shows there every night. Pamukkale also included churches and a baptistery. 

The reconstructed Roman theater in Pamakkale

Once we looked at the theater and some of the land that is surrounding the cliffs, we went over to look at the calcium cliffs. It was so cool to look at the cliffs and see the white calcium going all the way down the hill and then to see water flowing down and creating light blue pools down the mountain. Many people would come to these pools and to the city of Pamukkale for the “healing waters” that they have there. People believed that these waters were healing and would heal them from their illnesses. They used the technique of Hydrotherapy with the hot spring water from Pamukkale in healing techniques. Water from Pamukkale also reaches to other cities and towns nearby and provides them with the healing waters. Along with the healing waters, there is also a beautiful view that you can enjoy while bathing in the hot pools.

Dr. Tims sharing with the group the science behind the calcium cliffs formation

Dr. Tims was able to share with us, in science terms, why the cliffs at Pamukkale are white. They are white because of the calcium carbonate that is released when the water begins going down the mountain. When it starts out, it is jelly like and then hardens when the amount of water decreases. The reason calcium in chalk form is dry and flaky is because of the lack of moisture and it is able to flake off on the board and produce a line where you put the chalk on the board. The cliffs remain on the mountain because of the water that is keeping the calcium moisturized and on the mountain creating pools and the ability for surrounding hotels and towns to gain access of the water that is coming from the mountain. 

I love Turkey! 

Liz Jackson