PAMUKKALE

The name Pamukkale means "cotton castle" and it describes the place very well. Mineral water runs down from hot springs and over centuries it has formed white basins and falls; the travertines. The temperature of the water varies from 35 C to 50 C and it is believed to treat diseases related to the heart and nerves in particular. Hotels were springing up from the 1970s to cater for the large influx of tourists, and shortly afterwards UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. But by the 1990s, this took its toll on the state of the calcium pools and restrictions were placed on these travertine terraces. Many hotels were knocked down, visitors are only allowed on major paths around the sites, and must remove footwear to stand on the calcium deposits. This seems to have been a successful move, as the water supply is now used for preservation and some of the damaged calcium deposits have been strengthened

Information about Hierapolis is limited. It is known that the king of Pergamum, Eumenes II, founded the city in 190 BC. It was named Hierapolis after the Amazon's Queen Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the founder of Pergamum. (Pergamum is also called Pergamon or Pergamos). Hierapolis was completely destroyed by the earthquake in 60 A.D. during the time of Roman Emperor Nero. During the reconstruction after the earthquake, the city lost its Hellenistic Style and became a typical Roman City. Right after the Roman period started, Hierapolis became an important center because of its commercial and religious position. In 80 A.D. St. Philip came to Hierapolis and was murdered by the Jewish inhabitants. Hierapolis was conquered by the Turks at the end of the 12th century A.D.

The most interesting ruins of the hierapolis are the temple of the Apollo from the Hellenistic period, the fountain  (nympheum) dated 4. Century, the theatre dated 2. Century, Roman baths today used as a museum, and the well-preserved necropolis.

gototurkey.co.uk/booklet/?link=5
pamukkale.gov.tr/hierapoliseng.htm