Healthy Travel

October 7, 2010

TravelPostersTrio1 Healthy TravelThe magic water of Pamukkale

Pamukkale is located in the Inner Aegean region at a distance of 20 km from the town of Denizli. This lovely, rapidly developing district in the Menderes valley, which enjoys a temperate climate over the greater part of the year, has all the conditions required for an ideal touristic resort.The tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the Menderes river basin gave rise to the emergence of a number of very hot springs, and it is the water from one of these springs, with its large mineral content, chalk in particular, that has created the natural wonder now known as Pamukkale, Cotton Fortress or Baumwollenschloss, a very appropriate name for such a phenomenon…

TurkeyPamukkale 300x199 Healthy TravelFrom the edge of every terrace and every step in this fascinating natural phenomenon that has gradually formed throughout the ages hang brilliantly white stalactites, and you can hear the joyful splashing of the waters of the hot springs as they cascade down over slopes where their flow is impeded only by clumps of oleanders. The temperature of the water forming the travertines, which issues from the hot springs on the hills above, falls to around 33 C° lower down. On emerging to the surface, the solution of calcium-carbonate in the spring water decomposes into carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate and water.

TurkeyPumakkale2 300x199 Healthy TravelThe carbon dioxide is released into the air while the calcium carbonate separates off from the water to form a grayish-white limestone sediment. The beds of the water-courses are filled up with these limestone deposits and the water, confronted with these obstacles, splits up into several branches. The water flows over the slopes into pools, the small basins surrounding them and finally into the fields below. It is in this way that these terraces over 100m in height composed of layers of the accumulated limestone sediment have been gradually formed in the course of the ages.

As the limestone sediment reaches a certain level the water accumulates in pools and, as these pools fill up, overflows into smaller pools in the vicinity and from these flows into the small hollows and depressions around them. The limestone layers in the pools rise up in steps, one above the other, and the continual flow of water keeps this process in operation. The stalactites form one of the most important features in the landscape.

Not just a legend

…There was a young girl who was unmarried and ugly. As no one wanted to marry her, she decided to commit suicide and she threw herself off the travertine and fell into a natural pool but did not die. Because of the water in the natural pool she turned into a very beautiful girl and caught the attraction of the lord of Denizli while he was passing by. At that moment, the lord fell in love with this young and beautiful girl and they soon got married. ~ The End ~

So, in addition to the curing effects of the water, people also believe in the beautifying power of the water. As the water is useful, this land has been a place where people visit periodically for beauty and health since the ancient times. So the reason for Pamukkale to be an attractive place is not only the natural travertine, but also the healing waters.

The mineral water of Pamukkale helps recovering the high blood pressure, kidney stones, stroke, rheumatism, nervous and physical exhaustion, eye and skin diseases, circulatory problems, digestive maladies, nutritional disorders and chronic disorders. Pamukkale became a spa resort today and the center of a pagan cult in antiquity.

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