DENIZLI

Denizli

HierapolisAncient City

An ancient spa city during Roman and Byzantineperiods, Hierapolis, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, islocated near Denizli. This area is now known as Pamukkale, home toa world-renowned natural wonder of calcite travertines full ofwarm, mineral-rich waters. Pamukkale is a popular thermalcenter; its calcium and iron-rich waters are believed tohave healing properties. The ancient city, which is situated above Pamukkale,was founded by Eumenies II, the King of Pergamon, in the 2ndcentury BC and believed to honor the name of Hiera, wife of Telephos,the legendary founder of Pergamon.

The city grew and gained prominence thanks to itsthermal springs. Pamukkale is famous for its calcite travertines (or terraces)full of warm, mineral-rich waters. The territory that Pamukkale is located hasa special structure with its thermal springs originating in Lykos(Çürüksu) Valley. In Hierapolis, you can see the ruinsof the baths, temples and other ancient monuments. You can also swim inCleopatra’s Pool, a spring where the Egyptian Queen is rumoredto have bathed.

Hierapolis, the city where StPhilippus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, was killed, is one of thesacred settlements in terms of Christianity. It was declared a religious centerin the 4^th century, and became the episcopal center inthe Byzantine period. The Tomb of St. Philpus and theMartyrium, which were unearthed as a result of excavations in theancient city, are among the holy structures of Christianity.

The ancient Roman Bath, located inthe Hierapolis Ancient City, has now been transformed intothe Hierapolis Archeology Museum. You can visit variousarchaeological finds from Hierapolis and its surroundings in the halls of themuseum with stone blocks made of travertine.

Laodikeia Ancient City

Being an important 1^st centurycity of the Roman era in Anatolia, the city hosts the great works of artbelonging to this period. Located at an approximate 20-minute drivefrom Denizli city center, the ancient city of Laodikeia is among themust-see sights as it is one of the largest trade centers in history.

Situated in the middle of the Lykos (Çürüksu)Valley at the intersection of Phrygia, Lydia and Caria regions inancient geography, the city was founded by the Seleucid King IIAntiokhos Teos in the name of his wife, Queen Laodike, inthe south of the Lykos River. In ancient sources, it is mostly referred to as"Laodikeia ad Lykum” (Laodikeia on the shore of Lykos).

Laodikeia, which is of greatimportance for the Christian world, has been a "holy pilgrimage center"since the 4th century BC. Laodikeia (Pilgrimage) Church, which ismentioned in the Bible and is one of the seven famous churches ofAnatolia, is located here.

Among the important buildings of Laodikeia that havesurvived until today are Anatolia´s largest stadium, theaters,tetrahamam complex, agoras, Nympheum, main gate, assembly building, temples, churchesand monumental street.

TheAncient City of Laodikeia is on the UNESCO World Temporary Heritage List

Tripolis Ancient City

Established on the banks of the Greater MenderesRiver, in the north-east of Lykos (Çürüksu) Plain, the TripolisAncient City is located within the borders of the Buldan districtof today´s Denizli province. Founded at the intersection of Frigya,Caria and Lydian Regions in the Hellenistic Period, the city´s firstname was Apollonia, and it was called Antoniopolis fora short period. It was named Tripolis because it was thesettlement of the people of three regions in the 1st century, BC. Tripolis,which is considered among the richest cities of the region withits approach in terms of establishment and urbanism, had its heyday in theRoman Period. Public buildings such as the theater, stadium, Turkishbath, Gymnasium, Nymphaeum, agora and other buildings belonging tocivil architecture in the ancient city contain important information about therelationship of people with nature, the environment, urban planning, aestheticsand architecture in ancient times.

Kalemişi Mosquesof Denizli

Bosphorus Old Mosque

The Old (Eski) Mosque, located in the BogaziciQuarter of Baklan district, was built in 1772 (1181). The mosque,which has an aesthetically rich appearance with its interior decorationwith floral and geometric motifs and wall paintingsmade of architectural depictions, is one of the rare examples reflectingthe art of painting that developed in Anatolia in the second half of the 18thcentury. The mosque, in which Turkish wood, ornamentation and carvingart is carefully used together, impresses with its ceiling, arch andcolumn embroidery.

Serbanşah (Savranşah) Mosque

Serbanşah (Savranşah) Mosque, locatedin Çivril district, was built in 1882 (Hijri1298) by a person named Ömer Aga (Elder Brother), as understood from theinscription on the entrance door. It attracts attention with its longitudinalrectangular plan, with stained glass windows, woodenstructures, floral motifs and handcrafted ornaments.The external structure of the mosque is quite simple and unpretentious, andthe interior of the mosque is astonishingly decorated.There are names of religiously important people and plant motifs on the wallpanels of the Savranşah Mosque, which has green and blue tones,brown, red and black ornaments.

Cevher Pasha Mosque

Cevher Pasha Mosque, located in TabaeRuins on Denizli-Muğla highway, has a rectangular plan like otherKalemişi mosques and its minaret is covered with cut stone. Its mihrab isdecorated with floral motifs, square and circle-shaped wall panels aredecorated with lettering and floral geometric patterns. The hippedroof of the mosque is covered with Marseille tile. It is a goodexample of wooden-supported, Kalemişi decorated mosques of the 19thcentury Ottoman period.

Karahayıt and Yenicekent Hot Springs

Thermal springs, which offer health and healing sinceancient times, come to life with the waters of the Lykos (Çürüksu)River and the Büyük (Greater) Menderes River. Thermal waters and thermalmud in Pamukkale district, Karahayıt Hot Springs are used in thetreatment of many diseases. The thermal water source, which forms red,green and white layers due to the mineral oxides init, has an interesting appearance. The temperature of the thermal waterand thermal mud coming out of its main source in every period of theyear is fifty-eight (58°C) and it is a unique healthresource in terms of its rich mineral content. Unlike the whitecolored travertines in Pamukkale, it is among the places to see in Denizli withits unique red travertine.

In the area known as Yenicekent ThermalSprings, located in Buldan district today, thermal waterresources were used for treatment purposes during the Tripolis AncientCity period. The healing thermal waters of the spas have the abilityto cure heart diseases, blood pressure, rheumatism, eye ailments, rickets,paralysis, nerve and skin diseases. Especially the treatment taken with thermalmud bath attracts attention with its rejuvenating and regenerating properties.

Honaz Mountain National Park

Honaz Mountain, the highest pointof the Aegean Region, has a unique place in terms of its steep slopes,waterfalls, rich flora and fauna, and geological features. The National Parkconsists of Honaz Mountain and its surroundings, which arelocated within the boundaries of Pamukkale and Serinhisar districts.The slopes of the mountain covered with forests show rich plantdiversity due to its special climate conditions. Many endemicplant species are found, including red pine, larch, oak andjuniper. Three plant species that grow only on Honaz Mountain in theworld; Ballıbaba, Beeftail and Saffron have been identified.In addition, animal species such as wild goats, wild boars, badgers,foxes, rabbits and martens, as well as different species of songbirds andpredators can be seen. Colossae Ancient City, one of the mostimportant centers of the Greater Phrygia, is located within theborders of the National Park. Honaz Mountain National Park,with its slopes and waterfalls, is very suitable for nature walks, bicycletours and camping.

Sunset, Balloon Tour and Paragliding in Pamukkale

The healing thermal waters of Pamukkale,which enabled the establishment of the Ancient City of Hierapolis,one of the most magnificent cities in history, has a unique beauty withits layered structure. The nebula image formed by white travertinestakes on different colors at sunset. Watching this magnificent naturalbeauty with a bird´s eye view with a balloon tour and landingover the ancient city by paragliding is another source ofpleasure. It is necessary to experience this unique adventure in Pamukkale,where nature manifests its art and Hierapolis stands out with its magnificentappearance.

Colorful Buldan and Babadağ Houses

The town of Buldan where weaving hasbeen done since ancient times and is one of the most important centers in thearea of ??Turkey´s weavingand textile products is among the places worth seeing with its colorfularchitecture and streets. The district´s cultural background inweaving is also reflected in the city´s architecture and urban aesthetics.In the Ottoman period, there were workshops and looms on the groundfloors of houses used by weavers. Therefore, a traditional weaving culturehas continued for years and a city texture that preserves itsoriginality has emerged. The common features of Buldan houses are that theygenerally have bay windows and wide eaves, and they are structureswhere mud brick and wooden materials are used together. One ofthe most important features of these structures is that they are built in a waythat they do not obstruct each other´s views and is suitable for slope housestructuring. Wood craftsmanship and woodworking seen in Buldanhouses reflect the original motifs of folk culture. Buldan houses whichreflect both the Seljuk and Ottoman period urban fabric as well asarchitectural style of the Republican Period are among theimportant cultural assets of Turkey. The area where the historical Buldanhouses, which gained a more aesthetic appearance as a result of therestoration works, has been taken under protection as an UrbanProtected Area (SIT Area).

Babadağ district of Denizli drawsattention with its natural beauties and urban texture.The historical houses of Babadağ, where the weaving culturedeveloped like Buldan and had an important textile production capacity withhand looms in the 1950s, also adds a different value to the city. It ispossible to take a nostalgic journey through the streets ofthe city while hammering sounds are heard from the wooden workshops belowthe colorful historical houses.

ÇardakBird Watching House

Denizli Bird Observation Area

Located between Denizli and Afyonkarahisar provinces,near Çardak district of Denizli, Acıgöl is animportant wetland for many bird species during breeding, migration and winterperiods. It is possible to observe different bird species twelve monthsof the year, although their number decreases in winter. Acıgöl is thebreeding and reproduction area for over 200 wild bird species such as the flamingo,meke (a gruiform), wild goose, wild duck and crane. The area also hostssome bird species that are endangered on a world scale. Flamingos livingin the alkaline and salty inner parts of the lake offer uniqueframes on the lake with their pink appearance. Photography lovers canphotograph flamingos between May and October. There is a Bird WatchingTower at the borders of Gemiş Town, which is just near the InternationalÇardak Airport, the only airport in Denizli, so that visitorscan observe different bird species in Acıgöl. In addition, there are mountainsand plateaus in the south-east of the lake for those interestedin nature sports.

Healing and Sulfur Scented Kaklik Cave

Kaklik Cave, located in Honaz districtat a distance of 30 km from the Denizli center, has a unique appearance withits dripstone stalactites and stalagmites. It is also called Küçük(Small) Pamukkale or Cave Pamukkale because it hastravertine steps similar to the Pamukkale travertines. There is plenty of thermalwater in the cave. Clear, colorless and sulfur-scented thermalwater heals some skin diseases.

Keloğlan Cave, which resembles a Dripstone Forest

Dodurgalar Keloğlan Cave is60 km from Denizli. It is located 18 km east from Acıpayam district on theeastern slope of Mallı Mountain. Keloğlan Cave, which is a fossilcave developed horizontally, is 145 meters long. Due to the abundanceof stalactites, stalagmites, columns and cover dripstones inside,the cave has transformed into a visual feast resembling a dripstone forest.

Çameli Emecik Canyon

Emecik Canyon, located in themountainous region between Emecik and Cevizli Districts of Çameli District,attracts the attention of nature sports enthusiasts with its naturalvegetation, clear waters and wildlife. The canyon, which attracts attentionwith its cool waters in hot weather, consists of deep and narrow valleys. Theentrance of the canyon is 2 meters wide and its total lengthis 14 km. There are many large and small waterfalls andstreams in the canyon. It is possible to experience a different natureby participating in rafting organizations organized by localadministrations in spring and autumn.

Acıpayam Benlik (Olukbaşı) Canyon

Olukbaşı Canyon, located in the Benlik andOlukbaşı Neighborhoods of Acıpayam, has recently been discovered and opened totourism. The canyon, whose natural structure is well preserved, givesgreat pleasure in the summer months with the cold and clear waters flowingfrom giant cliffs approximately 50 meters high. The blue color ofthe water, which forms deposits in some parts of the canyon, where there arealso historical mills, resembles the sea. Olukbaşı Canyon, whichdraws attention with its wildlife, is a suitable natural beautyspot for those who are interested in hiking and climbing activities andthose interested in caravan tourism.

Çivril Işık Lake Waterfowl Protection Area

Located in Çivril Plain, Işıklı Göl (BrightLake) has been accepted as a Water Fowl Protection Area due toits potential. In the region, which is an important habitat forwaterfowl, many important water birds such as heron species, graygoose, sea eagle, reed borer, red hawk, stilt and terns can beobserved. It has an important place in terms of eco-tourism. Carp, pikeand velvet fish inhabit the lake, where freshwater fishing isperformed, and served in nearby restaurants.

Kartal Lake and Black Pine Forest Nature Reserve

It is located on the northern slope of the summitof Çiçekbaba Mountain in the south of Beyağaç district.Kartal Lake and its environs which host the oldest black pine forest inTurkey has been declared a protected area. The lakeand the forest area, which has a very rich plant flora, attractnature lovers. It has a rare forest ecosystem with thepresence of old trees with monumental tree characteristicsaround the lake. Alpine vegetation prevails around Kartal Lake,where the glacial valley is also located, so it is rich inmeadow and pasture plants. Kartal Lake has been distinguishedas a Nature Reserve due to its distinctive and unique naturalbeauties.

Buldan Süleymanlı (Plateau) Lake

The waters of Süleymanlı Lake, locatedaround Süleymanlı Plateau, which is within the boundaries of Buldan district,are sweet. In the lake, which is a short-term accommodation for migratingbirds, bird species such as wild ducks and storks, as wellas carp and catfish can be seen. Wild animals such as wildrabbits, pigs, hedgehogs, badgers, mallard ducks, white pelicans and mudhens arecommon around the lake. It functions as an important ecosystem due to the factthat it has some aquatic plant species, including waterlilies, as well as endemic plant species. Süleymanlı Lake andits surroundings offer a suitable environment for camping lovers andthose interested in land hunting.

Güney Waterfall

Güney Waterfall, which is located in Güney (Southern)district of Denizli with its vineyards and wine production, is among placesworth seeing in terms of its natural beauty. This hidden paradise, 70km away from Denizli, offers exquisite beauty with its waters slowlyemptying into the Büyük (Greater) Menderes River from a height of about20 meters. Due to the calcareous nature of the waterfallwater, there are limestone steps and various natural formations in thewaterfall bed. In the magnificent harmony of nature, drops of water flowingover green moss have formed Damlataş Cave, which has stalactites andstalagmites over the years. You can choose a peaceful renewal in nature aroundthe South Waterfall or a more active holiday experience by participatingin bicycle tours.

Sakızcılar Asmaaltı Waterfall (Crying Rock)

Although there are many waterfalls in the regionin Çal district of Denizli, Sakızcılar AsmaaltıWaterfall is among the must-see places with its natural beauty. Thewaterfall, called Crying Rock, because the water pours over therocks flows from a height of 30 meters. The trout grownin the cold waters of the waterfall must be tasted. You can taste trout orpoultry grilled on tile or a regular grill around the waterfall, which attractsattention with its natural trout ponds and poultry.

Yatağan Kefe Plateau

The plateau is 5 km from Yatağan town,which is one of the settlements of the Oghuz Tribes who first came toAnatolia. Kefe Plateau is located on the asphalt roadconnecting Yatağan and some villages of Honaz district. There are blackpine, red pine and juniper trees on the plateau at an altitudeof 1100 meters. It is frequently preferred by nature lovers withits clean air and abundant oxygen, peace and quiet, social facilities.Due to the importance of the town of Yatağan in knife production, the YatağanKnife and Kefe Plateau Festival is held in August every year.

Topuklu Plateau

The plateau attracts attention with its majestictrees, air, cold and high-quality drinking water sources. It is a suitablearea for daily picnics and camping. Topuklu Plateau islocated 20 km from Beyağaç district center at an altitude of about 1700meters. It is a great pleasure to watch the Gulf of Gokova and thesunset during the summer months from the hills to the west of theplateau. Festivals are held in June every year in the lushgreen plains and cool weather of the plateau.

Çameli Mountain Bike Marathon and Paragliding

The International Çameli Mountain BikeMarathon Championship (XCM), which is held every August in Çameli locatedbetween the Western Mediterranean and Southern Aegean regions,offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauties of the region. longand short tracks are covered in the category of an international and nationalmarathon race organized within the framework of the rules of the InternationalCycling Union (UCI) and the Cycling Federation of Turkey. During the cyclingmarathon, which starts from Taş Konakları in Çameli centerand ends in Elmalı village, you can experience differentfeelings of cycling by cycling sometimes on asphalt ground,sometimes on country roads and stony ground.

Attracting attention with its outdoor sportsopportunities, Çameli hosts many championships thanks tothe paragliding track on Yaylacık Mountain.Yaylacık Mountain, which is 2150 meters high, is on the Denizli-Fethiye highwayroute and is closer to Fethiye. The four sides of the mountain coveredwith pine, cedar and juniper trees at an altitude of 1500meters and 1800 meters are suitable for paragliding. Due toits location, it provides safe and enjoyable flights to amateur andprofessional paragliders and delta wing athletes. While experiencing thefeeling of adrenaline and excitement of parachute jumping,discovering the rich vegetation, clean air and natural beauty of Çameli isanother experience.

Tavas / Bozdağ Ski Center

Denizli is open to the winds from the sea as themountains lie perpendicular to the sea. Although it is locatedwithin the borders of the Aegean Region with a mild climate, theeffects of the continental climate are felt in some parts.Denizli´s mountains such as Honaz Mountain, Karcı Mountain, Babadağ andBozdağ have skiing potential with their slopes andsnowfall. Bozdağ Ski Center, which is 39 km away fromTavas district and the largest ski center of Western Anatolia,draws attention with its natural tracks. Skiing can be done in Bozdağ at analtitude of 2419 meters between December and April.On the slopes of Bozdağ, which is very suitable for winter sportswith its crystal snow structure, you can experience a different adventure withthe breeze of the white snow hitting your skin from the highslopes. In the summer months, you can enjoy the cool weather on theslopes with highland tourism.