5 Days Western Turkey Tour Package

Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Denizli province of Turkey. Pamukkale can simply be translated as “Cotton Castle” and the name inspired by the natural terraced basins full of hot spring water and petrified as white calcium terraces. They look white as the color of rich calcium in the water coming from 17 different underground water sources. Today, you can visit Pamukkale, lie down in the hot waters and enjoy the healing powers of this ancient healing center.

Hierapolis was a rich Greco Roman city, famous with textile products and cloths trade and of course the healing center right next to the city.  There are many remains today,  Necropolis, Amphitheater, Temple of Apollo, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Agora still amaze the visitors.  The necropolis was the first commercial necropolis of its time. There was a  large Jewish community in Pamukkale and the city has importance for early Christians as well. Hierapolis is a neighbour of Laodicea which is one of the Seven Churches of Book of Revelations. Also in Hierapolis, there is the Tomb of St. Philip. Although it is not clear if it is the tomb of Apostle Philip or Philip the Evangelist, it was an important pilgrimage site for Christians. Apart from the other remains,  Cleopatra pool in Hierapolis provides a unique experience to those who wish to enjoy the warm water among the ancient columns.

Laodicea Antique City is located near Pamukkale and Hierapolis, a wealthy Greco Roman city and a trade center. Laodicea was famous with cloths manufacturing and trade of textile made of quality knitting wool to Rome. Also known as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and addressed as lukewarm and insipid church.

Aphrodisias is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a rich marble quarry near the city, Aphrodisias had a famous sculpture school. Aphrodisias had a cult image of Goddess Aphrodite and this faith brough good relationships with Rome. Rome gave tax-free status to Aphrodisias and Aphrodisias had sources to thrive and work on being an art center of its time.  Sculpture artits from this city sought out from Rome. Today you can see the examples of this schools art pieces in Aphrodisias Museum.

Ephesus is another UNESCO World Heritage site in western Turkey. Ephesus dating back 10th century BC comprises succesive Helenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations. In early Christian Era , Ephesus was an important religous center as one of the Seven Churches addressed in the Book of Revelations by Apostle Paul. The church of Virgin Mary is the first temple dedicated to Mother Mary in Christian World. Around Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House which is the settlement where Mother Mary lived her last years and Basilica of St. John still important for Christian Community. Also Artemis Temple, sanctuary of Ephesian Artemis was one of the largest and most powerful santuaries of the ancient world and it was the center of the first settlement of Ephesus.

Priene was an ancient Greek city, a member of Ionian League. Despite being a rich port city , Priene never had a great political influence.   Priene had the central shrine of Ionian League and it always had a great spiritual and religious importance. Today Priene has a lot of beautiful Hellenic art examples. Miletus is the home of several famous philosophers, the capital of art, science and philosophy in anicent world. Once it was the biggest city in Anatolia. Olympic games are originated from the lighthouse of the biggest harbor of Miletus. Didyma is famous with Apollon Temple and Medusa Head. This temple is one of the biggest temples in the Hellenic world. Didyma was not a city but it was a sanctuary, the home of oracles and the cult center for Miletus. The oracle in Didyma had quiet a reputation in ancient times.

Pergamon is another UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape” by UNESCO. The acropolis of Pergamon was the capital of Helenistic Attalid dynasty. Apart from a wealthy city, Pergamon was a major learning center with a library only rival of the library of Alexandria and also a healing center as well. sanctuary built in honour of the gods Asclepius the Greek God of healing and Hygieia Greek Goddess of healing. There is a temple dedicated to Egyptian Goddess Serapis. Also Trajan temple is in the remains of this great city. Pergamon is also one of Seven Churches addressed in the book of Revelations. Because of many temples built in the names of pagan Gods and especially  the zeus temple mentioned as the throne of Satan. Today Pergamon is known as one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.