| DENIZLI |
PAMUKKALE |
HIERAPOLIS |
The sources of thermal water for Pamukkale are about 20 km from Denizli.
The ancient city of Hierapolis is also  located in the same place. The
water comes from underground karstic caverns and creates the cascades
through precipitation of CaCO3 (calcium bicarbonate ) as the CO2 (carbon
dioxide) evaporates. Thermal spring water is beneficial for myocardium
and cardiac complaints. The curative value of this thermal spring was
understood in ancient times as well. It has been used for centuries.
During the Roman Era religious ceremonies and festivals were held at the
thermal pools, and important statesmen and rich people came to
Hierapolis to be cured. Religious functionaries and ancient physicians
administered healing. The spring waters are rich in calcium, magnesium
sulfate, bicarbonate and carbon dioxide. They also have a radioactive
content of 1,537 picocuries/liter. The pH is 6.0. more
infowww.pamukkale.gov.tr 
Travertine is a kind of rock which is formed as calcium bicarbonate
precipitates out of hot spring water. It may be formed in many ways under
different atmospheric conditions. Geological activity of the past affected
a large area in which the Pamukkale thermal springs are found. There are
17 thermal sources in this special area with temperatures ranging between
35-100°C. The source of Pamukkale is only one unit of that whole area.
The thermal water flows to the top of the cascades by a 320-meter-long
channel and then flows on the cascades about 240-300 m. CaCO3 begins to
precipitate on the cascades as the carbon dioxide evaporates, but in the
beginning the precipitate is soft like gel. It needs time to completely
dry and harden. In order to protect the cascades from destruction and to
preserve their natural beauty, entrance to the travertine area has been
prohibited since 15 May 1997. .
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