"My trip to Anatolia": Pamukkale and Hierapolis with Medes Tour Travel

I took a trip to Anatolia last week, organized by Medes Tour Travel. It brought  me visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis on my second day's trip. It was my first time visiting Turkey, a beautiful country rich of cultural contrasts and full of charm.

Pamukkale and the adjacent ancient city of Hierapolis are listed as a site in the World Heritage List. Together they form one of the most attractive destinations in the world. Every year about 1500000 visitors reach it from all over the world. And now that I have seen it, I can understand why. Please have a look at this video I posted on my instagram profile. What a beauty!

We left Selcuk by train and it took us about 3 hours and a half to get to Pamukkale. Trains are comfortable and leave on time. On the train you can taste "ayran": this is a Turkish drink that is consumed by millions of Turks every day. What did I like so much about Ayran? Well, it is simply a great thirst quencher that  tastes good. Someone told me that you can make it yourself at home by simply mixing yogurt, water and salt in amounts to suit your own preference. I will try in the near future.

Seen from a distance the magnificent travertine terraces of Pamukkale look like the white clouds of heaven. As you approach, you realize that water is gently falling over the clouds of snow. Closer still, as you wade in deep thermal water, you realise that is unlike anything you have seen before and you are in for a once in a lifetime experience.

Everybody around me looked so relaxed. People from different ethnic goups were taking pics or making videos. They shared a face with a childlike expression, as if they were children on a playground. So gorgeous!

Pamukkale brings you in contact with the magical architecture of nature. Travertine is a sedimentary rock which is formed under specific conditions as a result of a chemical reaction, The terraces themselves, are the product of the process. There are about 17 thermal springs in the region, where the water temperature vary between 35 and 100 degrees. The thermal spring of Pamukkale has been used since antiquity. 

At the source, the temperature is about 35.6 and it contains a high concentration of calcium carbonate. When it comes in contact with the oxhigen in the air, it forms carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases, which evaporate and leave deposits of calcium carbonate. Initially, the calcium carbonate deposits are like soft jelly. Over the time it hardens and form the travertine. People are not allowed to walk on the upper hills of Pamukkale, otherwise they would ruin it. Have a look at this video and you will understand why.

The place in winter is quite calm and the atmosphere is magic. I can imagine the difference in number of visitors during the summer time and I do not think I would appreciate it.

Once I reached the upper top of Pamukkale, a new enchanting adventure begun: I visited Hierapolis. The ancient city is known as "the sacred city", on account of its several temples and religious structures clustered in it. The name "Hierapolis" honours Hiera, the Queen of the Amazons, beloved wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamum. A great earthquake took place in 60 AD. After that, the city was completely renovated, assuming the appearance of a typical Roman city. The glorious city was captured by the Turks at the end of the 12th century. It has mantained its historical texture and the importance of its thermal water has never waned.

Strolling around Hierapolis is like taking a walk in the past. What can you admire? The streets, the gates, the Apollo Temple, the Theatre, the Necropolis, and so much more. The atmoshere is magic. The Theatre contains one of the best examples of original Roman theater decoration. The stage was decorated with various reliefs. A seat for distinguished spectators was located in the center of the seating area (cavea). Approximately thirty rows of seats are preserved. Really impressive!

The Apollo Temple was built in the 3rd century AD. Apollo was thought to be the city’s divine founder. The temple was built beside the plutonium, an underground cavern from which poisonous gases emerged. The city’s theater stands in the background.

And what can I tell you about the Necropolis? It is one of the largest and best-preserved cemeteries in all of Turkey. It contains sarcophagi, many different types of tombs and funeral monuments dating from the Hellenistic until the early Christian times. There are also numerous inscriptions here, more than 300 of which have been translated and published. A tour around antique times!

I am so glad I decided to visit Turkey. Medes Tour Travel made me discover it, and I feel comfortable inviting you to do the same. You can call them using this number +902328567213: they speak English and they will be glad to help you organize your trip.