Today visitors come to Pamukkale to marvel at its nature beauty of white travertine terraces and the nearby Hierapolis ruins which is one of the biggest archaeological sites in Turkey due to its size and significance.

Pamukkale is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside.

The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Both the thermal center with its motels and thermal pools, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, are situated on the plateau.

Christianity started to spread in this area in the First Century AD. Since St. Philip, one of the twelve apostles, was killed here, Hierapolis became a sacred place for the Christians.

Through the influence of the Christian apostle Paul, a church was founded here while he was at Ephesus. The Christian apostle Philip also spent the last years of his life here.

In 1354, the great Thracian earthquake toppled the remains of the ancient city. The ruins were slowly covered with a thick layer of limestone.

1. Hierapolis (Wikipedia)

2. Pamukkale (Wikipedia)