Pamukkale, or the Cotton Castle is a shimmering white cascade,
formed by limestone-laden hotsprings, which have formed stalactites,
portholes and magical fairy-tables. The water is reputed to
be beneficial to the eyes and skin and to alleviate the ills
of rheumatism, asthma and dermatitis. It's exhilarating to paddle
through what feels like heated Schwepp's water while gazing
at the ancient fragments of columns below the water's surface.
Sites to Visit
Hierapolis
In this ancient city, the ruins spread over a mile from the
city founded by Eumenes II of Pergamon. It was leveled by
an earthquake in AD 17 but was rapidly rebuilt and enjoyed
prosperity between the second and third centuries.
Environments
Aphrodisias
Named after the Goddess Aphrodite, whose cult- like status
became synonymous with the celebration of sensual love and
exquisite femininity, the ancient city of Aphrodisias itself
became renowned throughout Asia Minor as a center of medicine
and philosophy but above all, of sculpture and the arts. Aphrodisias
has undergone a series of earthquakes in the late antiquity
and was abandoned by the survivors after the attacks of the
Arabs. The well-preserved theater was converted into an arena
for gladiator and bull fights in the later years.
Sardis
Sardis has been occupied for over 5,000 years and has always
been known as an important, ancient city. It was the capital
of the Lydian empire and archaeological evidence shows Sardis'
development from prehistoric lakeside community to a major
Roman city and Byzantine bisphoric. The most spectacular structure
of the Sardis excavations is the Artemis Temple which started
to be constructed on sometime before 200 B.C. Other sights
include the ancient Mt. Timolus, the Marble Court, a Roman
gymnasium and the remains of the largest ancient synagogue
ever found. To the south of the gymnasium lies the House of
Bronzes which owes its name to the varied bronze vessels and
utensils found within, making interesting exhibits.
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