A royal bath amid the ruins of the Temple of Apollo? This is one of the most unusual places on the map of Europe.

Who wants to feel like Mark Antony and Cleopatra? Hidden in the shadow of Pamukkale's popular terraces lies... Cleopatra's Pool. This extraordinary pool offers swimming amidst the ancient columns of the Temple of Apollo.

In summer, we dream of immersing ourselves in the blue— of the ocean , sea , lake , or even a swimming pool . But not just any pool. Natural thermal baths in San Filippo in Tuscany , volcanic pools in the Azores , stone basins carved into the rocks in Sicily , or natural pools fed by the Atlantic waves in Portugal —these are places that stay in our memories for a long time. Taking advantage of the fact that Turkey is one of Poland's favorite vacation destinations, we decided to remind you of a place slightly less known than the famous white terraces of Pamukkale , but equally extraordinary and... located right next door. We're talking about Cleopatra's Pool —a thermal jewel hidden in the shadow of limestone wonders.

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Cleopatra's Pool , also known as the Antique Pool, is an ancient thermal pool located in Hierapolis , just outside Pamukkale , one of Turkey's most recognizable natural wonders.

The pool was created as a result of an earthquake in the 7th century AD, which caused the collapse of the ancient portico of the Temple of Apollo . To this day , authentic columns and fragments of centuries-old marble structures rest at the bottom of the pool . Among them, tourists swim.

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Legend has it that the pool was a gift from Mark Antony to Cleopatra , although there are currently no historical sources to confirm this. Nevertheless, the romanticism of the story attracts tourists from around the world.

Unfortunately, you won't find any cooling in Cleopatra's Pool . The water in Cleopatra's Pool maintains a constant temperature of approximately 36 degrees Celsius and is rich in minerals: calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and hydrocarbons. Since ancient times, Hierapolis , where the pool is located, was considered a health resort. The mineral-rich thermal waters were valued for their healing properties and were an important part of the elite's daily life.

Cleopatra's Pool is located within the UNESCO- listed Hierapolis-Pamukkale Archaeological Park . Entrance to the pool itself is an additional fee (approximately 200–300 TRY), and bathing time is usually limited to two hours.