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The stunning white calcium pools, which cling to the side of a ridge, have long been one of the most famous picture postcard views of Turkey. Pamukkale, literally meaning
"cotton castle", is also the site of the ancient city of Hierapolis of which there are many interesting ruins, and is a very popular destination for a short visit.
Hierapolis
In this ancient city, the ruins spread over a mile from the city founded by Eumenes II of Pergamon. It was leveled by an earthquake in AD 17 but was rapidly rebuilt and enjoyed prosperity between the second and third centuries.
Aphrodisias
Named after the Goddess Aphrodite, whose cult- like status became synonymous with the celebration of sensual love and exquisite femininity, the ancient city of Aphrodisias itself became renowned throughout Asia Minor as a center of medicine and philosophy but above all, of sculpture and the arts. Aphrodisias has undergone a series of earthquakes in the late antiquity and was abandoned by the survivors after the attacks of the Arabs. The well-preserved theater was converted into an arena for gladiator and bull fights in the later years.
Sardis
Sardis has been occupied for over 5,000 years and has always been known as an important, ancient city. It was the capital of the Lydian empire and archaeological evidence shows Sardis' development from prehistoric lakeside community to a major Roman city and Byzantine bishopric. The most spectacular structure of the Sardis excavations is the Artemis Temple which started to be constructed on sometime before 200 B.C. Other sights include the ancient Mt. Timolus, the Marble Court, a Roman gymnasium and the remains of the largest ancient synagogue ever found. To the south of the gymnasium lies the House of Bronzes which owes its name to the varied bronze vessels and utensils found within, making interesting exhibits.
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(Includes all sites listed for Pamukkale)
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