Imagine a place where the ground is covered in a thick, white ‘snow’ that never melts. This is the Pamukkale Travertines in Turkey, a natural wonder formed by calcium-rich thermal springs.
The Cotton Castle
Known as ‘Cotton Castle’ in Turkish, these terraces are made of travertine—a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. Over millennia, the mineral-rich water has carved out brilliant white pools that look like they belong on another planet.
Ancient Spa City
The site is also home to Hierapolis, an ancient Greco-Roman spa city built on top of the pools. People have traveled here for thousands of years to bathe in the healing waters, making it one of the world’s oldest tourist destinations.