Hierapolis-Pamukkale

Hierapolis-Pamukkale
This entry combines the Greek/Roman heritage of Hierapolis with the natural sight Pamukkale, located in the same town.

The ancient city Hierapolis was established in the second century by Eumenes II, King of Pergammon. It prospered for ages. Now the ruins can be visited.

Pamukkale consists of a landscape of white terraces with basins, and frozen waterfalls.

Year Decision Comments
1988 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit July 1992

I hated it. After the fascinating eastern Turkey, this was a big disappointment. I found the basins not only small, but also spoilt by other tourists bathing in them!

Reviews

Peter Day (UK):
Too many tourists, too much money. 20TL to get into the site, 20TL to swim in the thermal pool. Hierapolis not the best ancient city - try Priene, even Ephesus (though that has even more tourists, make sure you get there late afternoon)
Date posted: September 2008
Douglas Scully (USA):
Doug (USA)
Even 30 years ago the site of Pammukale had been ruined by too much tourism, destructive tourists and hotels, and a lack of mineral-laden water from which these formations were formed. On the other hand the site of Hieropolis is worth a visit. When I was there they were just begining to excavate the theater and there was an amazing amount of beautifully carved stone still in place. But the best reason to visit this city is the large necropolis. It has a wide variety of tomb styles not seen elsewhere and you can enter some of them and see where families had meals to celebrate their ancestors. Also there is a photogenic triple arch gate to the city.
Date posted: April 2006
Glenn Austerfield (USA):
visited in 2000

The whiteness of the area was very hard on the eyes. Worthwhile to see, but I'm not too sure it's worth more than a pass thru.

The springs at the top were well worth the visit - My girfriend said it was like swimming in warm Perrier!
Date posted: March 2006
Robert Peters (USA):
Hierapolis and Pammukale are good places to visit in Turkey. Unfortunately they have begun to suffer from a bit of over-development. This is especially true of the travertine pools. They are now mostly dry and you can no longer bathe in them. Some of them are even artificial now! The ruined city, on the other hand, is pleasant. There are usually not big crowds and even if there are, you can escape them easily enough. The thermal pool at the top of the travertines is pricey (18 lira a pop), but worth it if it's not too crowded.
Date posted: February 2006
Joshua Brookfield (Australia):
This exciting holiday expirience was the greatest of my life. The relaxing resort took my breath away. I spent $256
on a large amount of extraordinary pictures.10 out of 10
LOVED THE VIEWS!
 


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