Until a few years ago, the cliff - side travertines that had become the poster child of Pamukkale were more like a slushy roadside pile of yesterday’s snow. The terraces are the results of thousands of years of deposits left by calcium - rich natural springs coursing down the mountain. (In nearby Karahayit, springs rich in iron and sulfur leave reddish metallic deposits at the point of exit.)

But years of irresponsible tourism had turned this wonder of nature into a dismal theme park attraction, until the Turkish authorities finally in desperation called in UNESCO for backup. In an ever - evolving geological environment, it is normal that these natural springs would find new outlets and part of UNESCO’s efforts have been to divert the springs to different sections on a rotating basis to restore much - needed calcium to the upper layers of the travertines. In the 8 years since their efforts began, much of the site has been restores to its original and spectacular blinding whiteness.

The travertine terraces, in concert with the plateau housing the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, now make up a national park as well as a World Heritage Site and a visit to one would not be complete without a look at the other.