Thermal Resorts in Turkey
A visit to Turkey would not be complete without a stop at one of the country’s better known spas, whether to treat a health problem or simply to luxuriate in the soothing waters of natural mineral baths. A stop at one of the spas described in this booklet can easily be combined with a tour of Turkey’s most famous destinations. The health giving properties of Turkey’s natural hot springs have been renowned since antiquity.

The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on the site of the rich mineral waters of Pamukkale, where the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth as it flowed down the mountainside, coating the slopes in a smooth layer of dazzlingly-white calcareous rock. No doubt the residents of the ancient Lycian city of Caunos bathed in the mineral rich mud of nearby Koycegiz Lake.

Famed for its drinking water which used to be considered good for the digestive system, the Sultaniye Kaplicalari thermal springs and mud baths lie 10 km away from the province, close to Dalyan. It is a popular area, with beach and facilities for tourists, and can be reached via boat or road from Koycegiz or Dalyan.

THERMAL RESORTS, PAMUKKALE – DENIZLI
At Pamukkale (“Cotton Castle”) nature has produced a sight of spectacular beauty. For thousands of years an underground spring located deep in the earth has been pouring out streams of hot mineral saturated water. As it has flowed down the mountainside the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth, and their rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of dazzlingly white calcareous rock.

To the ancients such beauty could only mean that the place was holy to the gods. Built near the natural hot springs, the grand city of Hierapolis attracted a steady stream of pilgrims, who came to bathe in the curative waters. Pamukkale is located 250 km from Izmir and 20 km from Denizli.

CAPACITY
The Pamukkale hot springs flow at a rate of 500 litres per second. With the potential facilities of about 72,000 bath-days and 72,000 beds on the basis of 600 litres per person/day/bath.

PHYSIO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND INDICATIONS
The mineral rich Pamukkale hot springs are composed of calcium-magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate. They contain carbon dioxide and have a radioactive content of 1,537 picokuri/liter or 56 bekerel/liter). Water temperature is 36 to 38 C with a PH of 6. Total mineral content is 2,430 mg/lt.

TREATMENTS AND ACCOMMODATION
Throughout history Pamukkale has been a famous spa, with both baths and open pools set into the snow white cliffs. Bath treatments take place at natural pools developed around the main hot springs. Hot mineral water spas have been opened at a number of new and very comfortable hotels in the area. Total capacity is 4,000 beds.

FACILITIES
Climatic conditions Altitude : 428 m
Hotel Ergür **** Karahayit – Pamukkale, Denizli

Thermal Colossea **** Karahayit – Pamukkale, Denizli

Thermal Resorts, Bursa
The first capital of the Ottoman dynasty has been famous for centuries for the therapeutic qualities of its natural hot springs. One of the earliest recorded visitors to Bursa to take the waters was the Byzantine Empress Theodora. Today, the Ottoman baths, known as Eski Kaplica, continue to function as part of Hotel Kervansaray in the Cekirge district of Bursa. Five star Celik Palas Hotel has also luxuriously appointed facilities with natural hot springs and baths offering various treatments. The domed baths run by the Hotel Kervansaray are an excellent example of early Ottoman architecture.

CAPACITY
The Cekirge hot springs flow at the rate of five liters per second. The Kervansaray baths can accommodate 600 people per day, while Celik Palas can provide curative baths to 400 people per day.

PHYSIO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND INDICATIONS
Composed of calcium, magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate, the water temperature of the Cekirge springs ranges from 39 to 58 C with a PH of 7.2 to 6.6 and total mineral content of 1,164 mg/lt. These hot springs are good for rheumatic diseases, hepatic and gall bladder diseases, metabolic disorders,gynecological diseases and post-operational problems.

TREATMENTS AND ACCOMMODATION
Eski Kaplica, run by Krevansaray Hotel, features hot mineral pools, baths, a Turkish Bath with natural hot springs. Treatments in hot mineral pools and baths, massage, underwater massage and elctro-physical therapy are available at Celik Palas Hotel.

FACILITIES
Climatic conditions Altitude : 109 m

Hotel Kervansaray ***** Cekirge – Bursa

Celik Palas Hotel Termal ***** Cekirge – Bursa

THERMAL RESORTS, BALCOVA – IZMIR
The Balcova hot springs are located on the site of the Baths of Agamemnon, known in antiquity for the therapeutic qualities of the waters. According to a legend, Agamemnon was advised by an oracle to bring soldiers who had been wounded during the campaign against Troy to the sulfur rich waters of these natural hot springs. Balcova is situated to the west of the Aegean port of Izmir

CAPACITY
The Balcova hot springs flow from exploratory wells at a rate of 28 litres per second. The facilities can accommodate 3,456 bath-days and 3,456 beds on the basis of 600 litres per person per day per bath.

PHYSIO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND INDICATIONS
The Balcova hot springs are composed of sodium chloride and calcium bicarbonate. With 62 to 80 C water temperature and 6.4 PH, Balcova hot springs contain 1,369 mg/lt minerals.

TREATMENTS AND ACCOMMODATION
The Balcova hot baths complex, with a total capacity of 1,000 persons per day, provides hot mineral pools and baths, offers patient therapy pool, sauna, massage, underwater massage, physical exercise, electro therapy and physical therapy. The complex incorporate a three star hotel with 435 beds, a four star hotel with 624 beds and a new park.

FACILITIES
Climatic conditions Altitude : 25 m
Balcova Termal Hotel *** Balcova – Izmir