Pamukkale ( Cotton Castleof Turkey )

Pamukkale, which means 'cotton castle' in Turkish, is a must-visit when you're in Turkey.

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 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.

Pamukkale was formed when a spring with a high content of dissolved calcium bicarbonate cascaded over the edge of the cliff, which cooled and hardened leaving calcium deposits. This formed into natural pools, shelves and ridges, which tourists could plunge and splash in the warm water.

It was added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 along with Hierapolis.

 

The Ancient City of Hierapolis   

Hierapolis was founded by the Attalid kings of Pergamon at the end of the 2nd Century BC before being taken over by the Romans in 133 AD. Under Roman rule, it became a thriving spa town; by the 3rd Century, visitors were coming from all over the Empire to admire the landscape and bathe in the supposedly healing waters. The success of the city is still visible in its impressive arched entrance gate, its colonnaded main street and its beautifully restored amphitheatre, all built from the same local travertine that glows golden in the hot Turkish sun.

 

Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool

Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is one particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here you can bath in the same waters in which Cleopatra once swam!  A professionally run modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historical healing waters.

 

An earthquake in the 7th century AD opened a pit in the middle of the city. The earthquake hurls the city’s magnificent columns, and the freeing thermal waters filled it and this Ancient Pool was formed.

Unlike the white water of the lower pools the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once it was surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with ornate roof held up with Doric columns. Imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this when you imagine it in it's glory day.

There is no fee to enter the garden and sit beside the pools but if you want to swim, there is an additional fee.

 

The ancient city of Laodicea

 

What is the story of Laodicea ? Where was the church of  Laodicea located ?

Laodicea was a city located in what is today the nation of Turkey, then called Asia Minor, in a section of the Roman Empire called “Phrygia” (Acts 18:23). It was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice.

 

Laodicea was located near the modern city of Denizli, Turkey, on a major road the Romans used as a business and mail delivery route.

 

Laodicea was located on major trade routes that connected to important cities like Ephesus, Smyrna and Sardis. The city became what we would call a “banking center.” It was a major export market for black wool and textile production, a product much in demand.

Laodicea was a wealthy city during the Roman period

 

It was also the site of a well-known medical school. It had a large Jewish population, some of whom became Christians.

 

Laodicea remained an important city until the seventh century C.E. when it was struck by a devastating earthquake and subsequently abandoned.

 

The Church of Laodicea in the Bible and Archaeology ( Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea  ( Revelation 3:14-22 )

 

The church of Laodicea is the last of seven churches addressed in Revelation.

The church of Laodicea is noted as being wealthy in the Bible.

The church of Laodicea is mentioned several times in the Bible: Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13-16; Revelation 1:11 and Revelation 3:14.

 

Laodicea, a lukewarm, materialistic church: a call to open the door of your heart.

 

The Book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible, known as “Apocalypse”. While the word “apocalypse” today is considered “the end of the world” (by horrible disasters), its original meaning is just “revelation”- a prophecy for the future. And yes, it speaks about the end of this world, but also the beginning of a new, perfect world.

This book is structured as a complex prophecy in several parts, given to John the Apostle around 95 AD, while he was exiled to Patmos Island in Greece. This prophecy reveals secrets for the future (from John’s point of view)- from the 1st century AD to eternity. It starts with an introduction where Jesus Christ reveals to John. What follows next is the first main part of the Book of Revelation- the messages to the Seven Churches of Asia.

 

These churches were Christian fellowships established consequently in seven cities in the Roman province of Asia (not the whole continent of Asia!), in today’s Western Turkey. They were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

 

And while the messages to them consist of certain instructions, promises from God, sin exposures, and encouragements, they are at the same time prophecies for Christianity in the following centuries, as a part of the whole Apocalypse.

This makes Laodicea- the city of the seventh one from the Seven Churches a special and unique placeThis makes Laodicea- the city of the seventh one from the Seven Churches a special and unique place.

 

What should know before go Laodicea ?

The ruins of Laodicea are open to visitors daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Box Office closing time is 16:30

Admission fee for Laodicea 280 TL ( it is about 10 $ )

 

As a Leo Travel Agency and tour organiser we organise sightseeing tours of Laodicea and other nearby ancient sites.

Also as Leo Travel Agency and tour organizer, we organize sightseeing tours to the all Seven Churches of Revelation, mentioned by Jesus to John of Patmos in Revelation   ( Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.)

 

Contact us 24/7 via email or whatsapp for a 7 Churches of revelation tour to create the program that best suits you.