Denizli
Denizli lies in the Aegean region of southwestern Turkey. Nestling against high mountains near the Meander River, it is the capital of Denizli province of Turkey, and has a population of 275480 according to the 2000 census. The surrounding fertile valley and extensive forests, together with its archaelogical wealth makes it a great attraction for tourists. Modern Denizli is a city of hotels, parks and broad streets.Although Denizli lies in the Aegean region, its location in the inner region spares it largely from the Aegean climate. It has a terrestrial climate and is fanned by winds from the sea. The winter is warm and rainy.
Denizli is well connected by road to all regions of Turkey. By rail it is connected to Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The rail route to Izmir runs parallel to the 180 kilometers long Denizili - Aydin - Izmir highway. The airport at Cardak county center is about 70 kilometers from the city center.
Denizli can be an attractive stopover while traveling between the major provinces of Turkey. By and large it has everything a tourist wants. But it has something you will not get anywhere - the natural wonder of "white frozen castles" of Pammukale.
If you are interested in the history of the region then the museums here are worth a visit. The Hieropolis archaeology museum is housed in a Roman bath since 1984 and is one of the biggest buildings there. Here, besides the creations from Hieropolis, you can see traces of Laodikeia, Collossai, Tripolis and Lycos. An important part of the museum is its collection of Bronze Age artifacts from Beycesultan Tumulus.
At the center of the city is the Ataturk Ethnography Museum. On the upper floor are exhibited cultural artifacts like furniture jewellery, clothes, carpets and guns. Also exhibited is the room where Ataturk stayed during his visits to Denizli.
40 kilometers north of Denizli city lay Tripolis a rich trade and agriculture center during ancient times, with its own architectural and living style. You can visit this city while at Denizli. An idea of its importance can be had from the fact that the Nikea council in 325 B.C. mentions it in its list of bishops of Lydia. Here you can see Roman baths and theatres and Late Roman and Byzantine period castles and ramparts surrounding the city.
Another place to see is Colossae. Lying 25 kilometers south of Denizli, it was one of the biggest cities of Frigia. It also has a castle ruin of the Ottoman period and an Acropolis from ancient times.
Among the building of the Muslim period are the Acipayam Yazir Mosque built in 1801 and richly decorated with panels of pictures. The Bogazici Mosque at Bogazici, built by the Seljuks is a wooden structure with rich wooden patterns on it.