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Bodrum has numerous places to visit but Pamukkale is a great change from the usual sites, historical and cultural, simply because of its whitish appearance visible even from large distances. You simply cannot miss this site from flights to Bodrum, as you are likely to view it even from the aircraft. Pamukkale is located at 300 km from the city of Bodrum which turns out to be around 3 hours drive. Because of its whitish appearance, people of Turkey call it Pamukkale meaning a Cotton Castle. Pamukkale is a remarkable and astounding natural site, unique in every aspect which looks fairylike with its sensational white petrified cascading layers of neatly spaced rocks.

You are likely to encounter a number of cataracts, basins and stalactites because of the thermal spring waters filled with calcereous salts flowing across the edge of the plateau. It creates a mesmerizing scene and probably you will have to wear your shades to not get blinded by the brightness of this site. These thermal waters are known for their therapeutic effects since the Roman era. Close to the Pamukkale is the ancient city of Hierapolis too which can be explored further.

Pamukkale is considered to be one of the most magnificent places in the entire world and sure it deserves this kind of fame as it boasts of unique geological structures as well as its historical ruins. The water is calcium oxide-rich and flows down the southern side of Caldag located towards the north of the ruins. These have been in existence for more than a hundred years and this built up of deposits of white travertine on the site fully justifies the sites ancient identification by the name of Hierapolis, meaning a holy city.

Ancient Hierapolis was established by King Eumenes II from Pergamon and the name of the city was derived from Hiera, who happened to be the wife of King Telephos. King Telephos is believed to have founded Pergamon. The city of Hierapolis in 133 BC became subject to Roman reign. During 17 BC, it was struck with a terrible earthquake thereby turning the whole city into rubble.

It had to be built again and initial excavations here were taken on by a German team in the late 20th century. From 1957, the restoration and excavation work was taken over by some of the Italian archaeologists who came from the University of Lecce and were sponsored by Fiat. The ancient city remains too are interesting and brings out various cultural aspects of people alive at that time.