Pictures from Pamukkale
Pamukkale means 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish and perfectly describes the white terraces, known as travertines, which tread their way down the hillside. Each pool is created from startling white limestone deposits filled with water from 17 of the natural hot water springs in the area.
The terraces are like hundreds of mini infinity pools that hug the hillside leading down to the town below. The shallow water reflects the cobalt blue skies above.
People have bathed in the pools for hundreds of years and at one time hotels at the top of the travertines used the water from the pools. This took a serious toll on the site which was in danger of being damaged beyond repair. The hotels have since been demolished and visitors are no longer allowed to wear shoes in the pools. The the water is now channelled in rotation as there is not enough to fill the whole site at any one time. Fortunately the travertines are now slowly recovering.
We spent a couple of hours exploring the remains of Hieropolis, the ancient town built at the top of 
Up close the limestone was a miniature version of the travertines themselves and just a little rough to walk on - by the time we got to the bottom my feet felt really soft after the buffing they'd had.
As the sun slowly started to sink the light reflected off the limestone giving it a soft golden glow and the moon rose in the sky above.
This was the second stop on our mini-tour of Turkey. From Goreme we travelled eight hours on the night bus to Dinizli and then by Dolmus to Pamukkale itself arriving in the town at dawn.
Pin It!
Love your pics, I am going to be doing similar trip to yours in the summer. Istanbul - Izmir - Ephesus - Pammukkale - Datca - Kos - Bodrum - Cappadocia (Goreme ) then back to Istanbul before returning back to London and work ! We will be away for about 25 days - can't wait !
I'm just a teensy bit envious! How fantastic 25 days! We had two weeks and I still haven't finished blogging - Bodrum and Istanbul still to go. Look forwrd to reading about your trip, sounds amazing.
How beautiful! I so wish I could have joined you on your mini tour!
It was especially beautiful as the sun went down...
Loved your pictures!
I wonder why nobody tells me when you have posted something new??????
This is amazing, never heard of, but I have never been to Turkey. Stunning photos as always. Amazing the limestone .. like ice. My favorite photo here must the with the pool ... the close up. I would love to walk barefoot there. Thanks for letting me coming along. Have plans for a long weekend in Istanbul, but I don't know if that will be time enough - have to go back.
Thanks Viveka, i'd love for you to walk there barefoot. we had 2 days in Istanbul too - wasn't enough, need to go back!
I can image ... that Istanbul needs time, the city where East meets West.
Wow Suzanne! It's so gorgeous and other-worldly. I love it! Really wonderful photography. I particularly like the shot with the moon. Thanks, you just expanded my bucket list. ~Terri
Glad to have whetted your appetite for Turkey!
The dawn shot is just breathtaking! I remember the pools being bluer, it perhaps depends on the seasons.
We were there end Sept and the sky was very blue. Maybe the pools that were filled were shallower?
Still cant believe I've not made this site yet!! It's not even that far from me. Did you see the Gates of Hell while you were around?
We didn't see those gates - maybe when you go they'll have the area signposted - don't breathe the vapors!
What a marvelous place to visit! That's so good the area is recovering - it must have been quite an adventure walking in the water barefoot 🙂
It's definitely one of the more unusual places I've been too!
This place is amazing. I have been there three times and it still amazes me. There’s nothing like this in other countries, so Pamukkale is quite unique. There is also an ancient city called Hierapolis at the top of Pamukkale, which is also stunning. And 15 minutes from Pamukkale there’s a natural thermal hot spring in Karahayit, which is also nice to see. So If you guys have the opportunity, you should really visit Denizli (town) in Turkey. You will be stunned by the natural beauty of this city.
A beautiful video of Pamukkale http://youtu.be/kR6guX5yzHQ
We enjoyed our day at Pamukkale and Hieropolis but didn't have any time in Denizli sadly.
Amazing photos Suze! X
Thanks Riika 🙂 x
Your photos are really wonderful! We were also there and know that the lighting and crowds can make it a bit tricky for taking photos. So, bravo!
Thank you - it really is a unique landscape.
It is the wierdest place, Suze, and must be quite hard to photograph? It looks an enormous site.
It is quite big and with the ancient ruins of Hieropolis bearby we filled most of the day.
What an amazing spot and it is good to hear that conserving it is a priority.
If they hasn't started to conserve it I guess it wouldn't be long before it no longer exists...
What an interesting looking place. Lovely dawn pic. 🙂
Thank you - missed the dawn pics, these were at sunset!
What a strange landscape, its definitely got an 'other-worldly' quality to it. Fab place for photos too!
A photographers' dream - I'm sure I didn't do it justice either...
What a fabulous place! I have heard of it but your photos bring it to life.
But still worth seeing with your own eyes!
I regret so much not going there when I was in Istanbul, it looks so beautiful...
It's quite a treck from Istanbul - a domestic flight away but worth the effort.