Denizli is a large industrial city on a tributary of the Menderes River. It sits inland pretty much on its own although it is within easy striking distance of Aydin, Uşak and Isparta. it was an important Greek town, called Attouda, and is known to have existed through the ancient Greek and Roman times.

The city is linked to Izmir by rail. This is still the Aegean but it can get quite hot during the summer months and very cold during the winter with snow on the mountains. The city is famous for the Denizli rooster, a tough old bird that has developed in the harsh countryside conditions and which is much sought after for its crowing abilities.

Denizli exports textiles. Some of Turkey’s best towels and cotton produce come from Denizli. When the nearby ancient Laoadicea on the Lycus became deserted after the wars between the Byzantines and the Selcuks in the 12th century, Denizli benefited from an influx of traders and migrants who become well known for the quality of their woven and embroidered products.

The lands around Denizli are fertile and the cultivation of cotton, figs and tobacco, along with livestock, have ensured its prosperity for generations. With a population of over half a million residents, Denizli is growing fast and expanding its industrial base too.

Denizli is a modern and well structured town with a good road system and wide walkways. There are some large stores, good restaurants, cafes and bars. Although a fairly conservative city, it does have many students from all over Turkey at the Pamukkale University. While you are here try the local Denizli kebab, a slow cooked roast lamb served with pita bread.

For everything that Denizli is, it has well and truly been placed on the map of fame through its close proximity to the ancient Hierapolis, known as Pamukkale. This amazing resort with its limestone deposits and hot springs is a major tourist attraction just 17 km from Denizli city centre. The ancient site of Hierapolis is literally next door to it. This Phrygian ancient city on the Coruh river dates back to 190 BC.

The ancient ruins of Laodicea should be on your list of places to visit. Just 6 km from Pamukkale ( Hierapolis ), it gets nowhere near the kind of numbers of tourists as Hierapolis, but it has amphitheatres, an Aogra wall, large stone columns, and plenty of informationa and ruins to look around.

There is also a popular picnic spot at Honaz, which used to be the city of Colossai. It is about 16 km outside of Denizli.