The Healing Powers of Pamukkale Travertines: A Must-Visit Destination

İrem Uğur
Onedio Member
0

Pamukkale Travertines is a naturally formed place in Denizli, a very rich region in terms of thermal water. Minerals and thermal waters were effective in the formation of this place. Dating back to ancient centuries, Pamukkale Travertines is one of the biggest and most important riches of Türkiye. Pamukkale, which is flooded with visitors from many parts of the world, is also considered as a healing center. For more than 2300 years, Pamukkale travertines have been used as a healing center. Pamukkale travertines, which get their snow-white appearance from thermal waters and the minerals in it, is a unique place that everyone must see.

Information About Pamukkale Travertines

Pamukkale Travertines is a unique naturally formed place in Pamukkale, a very rich place in terms of thermal water. This place has already been used as a healing center for more than 2300 years. 

People from different parts of the world used to come here for healing or retired rich patrons used to complete their lives here. Pamukkale Travertines are also said to be good for some dry and itchy skin diseases.

There are a total of 17 thermal water springs in this region with temperatures between 35 and 100 C. The water travels around 240 - 300 meters until it comes out of the spring and pours to the place where the travertines are. On this journey, they paint the places they pass white over time.

How Pamukkale Travertines Formed?

Pamukkale Travertines get their white appearance from thermal waters and the minerals in them. The temperature of the thermal waters here varies between 35 degrees and 100 degrees. When thermal waters come into contact with oxygen, calcium carbonate in the water reacts. Then it precipitates. This is the sediment you feel when you put your feet into the travertines.

The gel-like sediment hardens over time. In this way, travertines are formed. In the same way, this sediment starts to cover the places it flows over.

There are also more scientific expressions of this. When thermal water rich in calcium hydrocarbonate meets oxygen, the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the water evaporates. Calcium carbonate is left behind. When calcium carbonate precipitates and accumulates on top of each other, solidification occurs and thus travertines are formed.

The Protection of Pamukkale Travertines

Pamukkale Travertines, one of the most important natural formations in Türkiye, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the second protected area in Turkey to be included in this list. The first one is Cappadocia.

When UNESCO gives this title to a place, it expects it to be protected in the best way possible. Therefore, it always conducts inspections. When it does not meet the protection criteria, they remove it from the list.

Tourists who want to take advantage of the booming tourism here have built hotels right at the foot of Pamukkale. These have spoiled the naturalness of this place a bit. The pollution created by the hotels is also very disturbing. The problem of hotels was a bigger problem in the 90s. Since these hotels have almost penetrated Pamukkale Travertines, the snow-white color of the travertines here started to fade gradually.

When the travertines were damaged, the state removed the zoning permission around the travertines and the hotels in the region. Then the travertines started to regain their white color over time. Arrangements are also made here for visitors. Visitors cannot enter all areas of the travertines. Thus, the accumulated sediments are not damaged.

Where is Pamukkale Travertines And How To Get There?

Pamukkale Travertines is located in Denizli. You can come here by taking Pamukkale minibuses from Denizli bus station. 

If you have a private car, you can reach here in the direction of Pamukkale by heading north on the D585 road from Denizli Center.

You can find Pamukkale Travertines location and address information below:

Address: Merkez, 20190 Pamukkale/Denizli

Pamukkale Travertines Entrance Fee

Pamukkale Travertines are located in the same complex with  Hierapolis Ancient City and Ancient Pool. Entrance is free with MuseumCard. The entrance fee without MuseumCard is 200 TL.

If you want to swim in the Ancient Pool, you need to pay a separate fee. MuseumCard is not valid for payment at this stage. There is no fee if you just want to see and photograph.

NOTE: MuseumCard holders can enter the Ancient City of Hierapolis and Pamukkale Travertines twice a year. MuseumCard+ holders can enter unlimitedly.

Pamukkale Travertines Visiting Hours

  • Opening Hour: 07:30

  • Closing Hour: 18:30

  • Box Office Closing Hour: 18:00

  • Closed Days: Open every day

Pamukkale Travertines Contact Information

Pamukkale Travertines entrance fees and visiting hours may change periodically. At the same time, it may be necessary to get information in advance for visits with crowded groups. You can use the contact information below to get information.

Phone number: 444 6 893

Website: https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=PMK01&DistId=PMK

Email Address: denizlimuzesi@ktb.gov.tr

Pamukkale Travertines Traveler Reviews

If you are thinking of visiting Pamukkale Travertines, you can benefit from the comments of those who have been here before.

'Pamukkale, where history and nature meet. People think of travertines, but Pamukkale is actually a huge city founded in the Roman period. Travertines are only a part of this city. There are historical ruins, museums, ancient theater, church, etc. dozens of historical artifacts.'

'I visited in July 2022. It is an incredibly beautiful place, not only travertines, but also a must-visit place with its museum and historical texture, it is not a place to visit in one day, I recommend you to get guide help. With the museum card, you can benefit from the pool and food and drinks at a discount. Although I went in July, I did not wait at the entrance.