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Pamukkale Travertines

Thermal waters of Pamukkale have offered healing to many people throughout history. Those who heard the reputation of this unique beauty and the healing it offered, came from different cities of Anatolia to Hierapolis for treatment and stayed here temporarily or permanently. It is understood from the grave finds in the surrounding area that the patients who were fascinated by this unique healing source completed their lives here.

Touching the snow-white travertines, created by thermal waters that give life to Hierapolis Ancient City (Hierapolis Antik Kenti)         , is a completely different experience. Travertines of Pamukkale, with a fairytale look resembling a cloud field from afar, are one of the rare beauties where history and nature embrace. With its calcareous structure, snow-white color and the warmth of thermal water, they give an indescribable sense of texture. Most of this unique natural beauty is under protection so that it does not lose its authenticity. However, you can imagine yourself like the people of Antiquity by entering the healing waters in public areas where you can experience the special texture of travertines or by swimming in the ancient pool, also known as Cleopatra Pool.

Buldan Fabric and Tavas Kızılcabölük Weaving

The origin of weaving in Denizli goes back to ancient times. After the settlement of the Turks in Anatolia, the weaving culture developed and continued. In Buldan, where woolen weavings were common in ancient times, cotton and silk materials were used under the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Fabrics woven on hand looms are colored with natural dyes obtained from quince seeds, pomegranate peel, walnut leaves and acorns and root dyes.

A traditional weaving type unique to Buldan, “Buldan crepe” Buldan cloth is also known by names such as twisted cloth, white banner cloth. Buldan cloth, which is a simple and robust weaving product, gains a unique wrinkled structure by using very twisted yarns. The wrinkled texture is caused by washingthe plain fabric in hot soapy water. Due to this unique structure of Buldan cloth and fabric, it creates an air gap between the body and the clothing and functions as heat insulation. Silk and cotton striped twisted weaving are called “Hoşgör” fabric.

Kızılcabölük is one of Denizli’s oldest weaving centers in the Aegean Region. Traditional Turkish embroidery, such as lace, beads, silver thread and spangles, is used on the fabric of Kızılcabölük, which is traditionally woven using hoops and needles. Motifs and patterns such as violet, carnation, rose, pansy, tulip, rooster motif, bird motif, cherry, butterfly, hydrangea, poppy and summer flowers are widely used in fabrics produced from silk, cotton and linen.

In Buldan and Babadağ districts and Kızılcabölük Neighborhood of Tavas district, woven fabrics, fabrics, clothes and home textile products woven with traditional methods on hand looms and colored with natural dyes have a world-renowned reputation. Although the number is decreasing today, it is possible to experience the traditional weaving examples and the weaving process that continues in traditional style houses in Buldan and Babadağ.

Glass Art Products

The art of glass, in which glass meets fire and reflects the unique technique and skill of the glass master, is being made in Anatolia for thousands of years. In Denizli, the tradition of glassmaking, which is known to have a history of 5000 years, comes to life with glass objects produced by the hand labor of glass masters and artists. The transparency and special texture of glass has been attracting people since ancient times. Today, branded glass art products that attract attention with their modern and original designs and are products of Denizli’s developed glass industry are marketed to the whole world. Bearing the distinction of being Türkiye’s first glass festival, the Denizli Cam Biennial, is held as an important art and culture event where many the domestic and international glass artists convene.

Terracotta and Ceramic Art Products

The art of ceramics, which has been a branch of art in Denizli’s Tavas, Sarayköy, Çivril and particularly Serinhisar districts since ancient times, has developed due to the red soil of the region. Ceramics, where different ceramic products such as jugs, earthenware cups, jars, pots, vases and ornaments can be made, carries the culture of ancient civilizations to the present day.

Terracotta or Terracotta art is the ancient Hittite art in which materials made entirely from soil, including its paint, were used. The most important feature of terracotta is that the ceramic used is thin and not glazed. In this art, which does not resemble glazed ceramic, completely natural dyes are used, and the painting job is quite difficult, it requires a separate mastery. The essence of terracotta art is the part of painting the soil with soil. Terracotta pots, plates, coins and other objects created by firing the local special soil at high temperatures and coloring it with earth paints seem to have traveled from ancient times to the present day. This tradition, kept alive by Necip Savcı, born and lived in the village of Medet of Tavas District, and sole representative of terracotta art in Türkiye, is continued by his family with the experience passed down from generation to generation. Terracotta products of this special art can be purchased from souvenir shops in Denizli.

Karahayıt Healing Waters and Mud Bath

Thermal waters and thermal mud of Karahayıt Hot Springs (Karahayıt Kaplıcaları) in Pamukkale district are a valuable health resource in terms of rich mineral content. The healing waters, used in the treatment of many diseases, come out of their main source and reach a temperature of 58^oC at all times of the year. The thermal mud of Karahayıt Spas, where interesting travertines in red, green and white colors are formed thanks to the mineral oxides it contains, attracts attention with its skin rejuvenating and regenerating properties. You can increase the beauty of your skin by taking a mud bath in the thermal facilities here.

Wire Breaking Lace

Wire breaking, a form of needlework that has been carried on for 150 years in Tavas district, is among the rare elements of Turkish handicrafts. It is a product of manual labor that results from the processing of wires made of metals such as gold, silver and copper on the fabric without using any cutting tools. The natural bending of the wire while the embroidery or lacing is performed is called breaking the wire. A separate story is told in the motifs used in needlework as a handicraft performed by women in breaking wire. This very thin and planned wire breaking process has different types of motifs such as altar, diamond, scissor, amulet, star, leaf, knurl spiral. Wire breaking lace stands out as one of the most important cultural elements of Tavas and is appreciated.

Çameli Elmalı Rug and Cloth

Rug weaving, which is carried out by the local people, has a special place in weaving looms in the Elmalıdistrict of Çameli district. Rug and cloth weaving, which is carefully performed by the women of the region has been tried to be kept alive for centuries. It is a unique cultural heritage. Rugs produced by stitching relief patterns formed by root dye unique to Elmalı on kilim looms have the feature of beingthe only ones in Türkiye.

Çameli Elmalı Cloth, one of the original products of the region, is a fabric made of exceptionally fine yarn requiring special craftsmanship. After leaving the counter raw, washed in hot soapy water and gained a wrinkled structure, Elmalı cloth has sweat absorbing properties. Geometric patterns and local rug motifs in vibrant colors such as yellow, red, green, blue and purple used at the beginning and end of the Çameli Elmalı Cloth, which is geographically marked product.