Pammukale

–Authored by Matthew Bartoe

One of the largest sets of ruins that we visited was the ancient city of Hierapolis built on a mount called Pammukale, which means “cotton castle.” It is a geological marvel that consists of a hilltop covered in white limestone that was the result of rock formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pammukale, standing high above the surrounding plains, was a beacon for Roman settlers.  They thought that the white stone was a gift from the gods and that the warm mineral springs that formed the white appearance could cure diseases. The Romans founded Hierapolis in 190 BC, to take advantage of the mineral waters.  Today many tourists come to Pammukale to see one of the largest sites of ancient ruins, but also to bathe in the “healing” water.

Pammukale was a long drive from the hotel in Kusadasi.  We first stopped at the bottom of the white cliff face for a photo op. While some were fascinated by the giant white bluffs, most found the ducks and camel, yes there was a camel in the parking lot, to be much more picture worthy. When we arrived at the top of the mount, we had a brief tour of the city before breaking into smaller groups to explore. Some walked the entire city while a couple brave souls, possibly looking for divine healing of some sort, jumped into the mineral spring for a small fee of $25. Others took the less expensive and more common route to receive their healing. They took off their shoes, which is required, and walked on the natural terraces created by the spring flowing over the cliff face.  There were reports of their feet feeling “better than ever” and “exfoliated,” but no major claims of curing of foot diseases. The two gents that went for full body emersion were mum about their experience but smiled on the bus home; perpetuating the thought that maybe the water does have healing powers.