Pamukkale
Pamukkale is the modern town/tourist area adjacent to the remains of ancient Hierapolis. It is a common location for overnights on our Journeys of Paul programs in Turkey. Meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, Pamukkale boasts of thermal springs (similar to Mammoth Springs at the northwest entrance to Yellowstone National Park) and the white calcified cliffs stretch across a hillside and a visible for miles. The Pamukkale area has been a World Heritage Site since 1988.
It was probably this formation that the John referred to when writing the Laodiceans (who could see easily see these cliffs from their city) about being neither "hot" or "cold."
Colossians 4:12-13
12:
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13:
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Revelation 3:14-22
14:
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15:
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16:
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17:
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21:
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.