A magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Both the thermal center with its motels and thermal pools, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, are situated on the plateau. Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is now covered by a comprehensive protection and construction plan and needed restoration work has already begun. An agreement ratified in Barcelona on February 16, 1976 in regard to the "Prevention of Pollution in the Mediterranean" and a Protocol relevant to special areas of protection have all gone into effect. Within the framework of this protocol the following have been designated as special protection areas: Dilek Yarimadasi (Peninsula) Olympos Beydaglari (Beyda Mountains) Gelibolu Yarimadasi Milli Park (Gelibolu Peninsula National Park) Furthermore, in accord with the same agreement, 100 sites along the shores of the Mediterranean sea which share a common importance, and seventeen other sites around the country have come under protection. Work is being undertaken at an international level. The seventeen sites are as follows: Antalya, Aspendos, Bursa, Didyma, Ephesus, Fethiye-Ölüdeniz, Halikarnassos, Istanbul, Kaunos, Kekova, Knidos, Miletos, Pergamon, Phaselis, Priene, Troy, Xanthos. An agreement on the Protection of the European Archaeological Heritage has also been signed. An agreement signed between Turkey and the Council of Europe countries on the protection of the European architectural heritage has been ratified by Law 3534 and brought into effect Pamukkale