This place is called Pammukale, and it is situated near the town of Denizli, in southwestern Turkey. Here, thermal spring waters laden with calcium carbonate spill over the edge of a plateau forming a sparkling white petrified cascade of pools and basins, in various shapes and sizes.
The waters have therapeutic properties, and have been exploited at least since the time of the ancient Greeks. Substantial vestiges of the Hellenistic city of Ierapolis are to be found here, including hundreds of tombs, temples, a gymnasium and a theatre.
But what everyone comes to see and enjoy is the petrified cascade. Do you fancy a dip in the warm waters? Go ahead then. Every hotel and motel has its own pool. You can also bathe in one or other of the natural basins if you feel so inclined. Incidentally the cascade has formed in various directions according to which way the spring waters happened to run. Now the flow of these waters is largely controlled so that different areas are watered at different times.
As the sun goes down the white walls of the steps and basins turn a glowing pink while the waters become a brilliant blue.