Pamukkale | Turkey

Postcard

Pamukkale means "cotton castle" in Turkish. This amazing display of natural hot water pools is located in south-western Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. 

Somewhere deep in the earth beneath Pamukkale lies a vast source of water heated by volcanic lava. The water dissolves pure white calcium, becomes saturated with it, and carries it to the earth's surface, where it bursts forth and runs down a steep hillside.