Turkey
Pamukkale
Welcome to Turkey! Pamukkale looks like a mountainside made of cotton, with brilliant white terraces holding pools of warm, mineral-rich water.
Why is it famous?
Its name means "cotton castle" in Turkish, describing the fluffy white terraces that spill down the hillside.
The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was built right on top of the springs over 2,000 years ago.
How was it formed?
There are 17 natural hot springs here, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Celsius.
Mineral-rich water flows down the slope and hardens into brilliant white rock called travertine, forming terrace after terrace over thousands of years.
Amazing facts
People have soaked in these warm springs since ancient Roman and Greek times.
One famous pool, called Cleopatra's Pool, has ancient marble columns resting beneath the water.
Quick facts
- People have soaked in these warm springs since ancient Roman and Greek times.
- One famous pool, called Cleopatra's Pool, has ancient marble columns resting beneath the water.
- The white terraces form naturally, without any paint or plaster.
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.