According to an ancient Turkish legend, there once was a young girl who believed she was so ugly that no man would marry her. She was so depressed she tried to end her life by jumping off a cliff. But luckily she landed in a magical pool of water that turned her so beautiful that when a handsome lord saw her, he fell in love and married her.
Although bathing in the Pamukkale hot springs may not actually make you look more beautiful, it certainly makes people feel better. Locals believe the water has healing properties that can treat such disorders as asthma, rheumatism, digestive issues, high blood pressure, eye and skin infections, and more.
This wonder of nature has attracted people since time immemorial. The ancient Romans founded the city of Hierapolis in around 190 BC.
Perhaps it was the healing waters that sparked Marc Antony’s interest in Pamukkale. The history is a bit fuzzy and there are two versions of the story. One says Antony and Cleopatra swam in the pool on their honeymoon, while another says he gave the pool to her as a gift. Whatever the truth may be, the hot springs of Pamukkale are truly worthy of emperors and queens. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Bathers in the hot springs are delighted to discover that the water actually sparkles like Champagne. Little bubbles of air are released by the minerals in the water and dance on your skin while you soak, heated to about 97F (36C) by geothermal energy.
Would You Like To Join Us For a Sparkling Swim?
Kathleen McGowan and her tour group members sometimes enjoy a glass of Champagne at dinner, but this may be the first time we’ll be literally up to our necks in sparkling bubbles!
The Hierapolis springs and Pamukkale thermal pools are just one of the features in our tour of Turkey May 10 – 20, 2023. Titled “The Goddess in the Mediterranean,” this group program, led by Kathleen McGowan, is an opportunity to experience the power of the Divine Feminine in ancient Turkey. More itinerary highlights include:
- Visiting the ancient site of Aphrodisias
- A special tour to Ephesus
- A morning visit to ancient Troy, famous for its iconic horse
- Sightseeing in Istanbul including the Blue Mosque and St Sophia
There is also an optional May 20 – 23 extension to Cappadocia, with accommodations in a unique cave hotel built into the mountain.
Get All The Turkey Tour Details Here
Photo Credit:
Pamukkale Antikes Becken: Loizeitung, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons