Çal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Çal | |
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| Country |  Turkey |
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| Region | Aegean |
| Province | Denizli |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1,520 km2 (586.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 850 m (2,789 ft) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| - Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 20x xx |
| Licence plate | 20 |
| Website | www.cal.bel.tr |
Çal is a town and a district in Denizli Province of Turkey. It is located 64 km (40 mi) north-east of the provincial seat of Denizli and is situated on a rocky hilltop overlooking a plain traced by Menderes River. The altitude is 850 m, and the area is about 1.520 km². Population of the district is around 33,000.
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[edit] Features
Roman remains have been found in the area. Hançalar Bridge over Menderes River, at the level of the township of the same name situated between Çal and Bekilli reminds of Roman bridges by its style while the builder remains unknown. It was repaired and restored several times during the Ottoman era. The first Turks in the area were the Seljuk Turks in 1072, who settled in all parts of the present-day Denizli Province including Çal.
The area is largely agricultural and is known especially for its vineyard. The local grape variety Çalkarası and grown intensively and takes its name from the district. Çal also has an annual wine festival. There is also a cement factory, a fruit-juice factory and various cold-stores for fruit.
[edit] Sakızcılar Falls and the "Weeping Stone"
A notable sight of interest is the waterfalls near the depending village of Sakızcılar, on the slopes of the Mount Çal (Çaldağı) and at a distance of about 40 km (25 mi) when coming from Pamukkale. Waters of a stream that later join Menderes River fall from 50 meters high at this locality and the whole area is covered with forests, making it a notable natural site. It is also a large trout farm. The falls are alternatively called "Yeşildere Falls" or "Ağlayan Kaya" (the weeping stone) [1].
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[edit] Notable natives
The people of Çal acquired a fame for their astuteness and alertness in the region. They are hard-working and stubborn, and also raised crafty horsethieves in the past. There is an old regional saying that goes like, if you put a snake in a sack with a man from Çal, the snake will beg to be taken out.
The renowned painter İbrahim Çallı was born here, as his name indicates. The award-winning author and poet Mahmut Alptekin is from Çal. He was born there and spent some of his childhood in Çal. The award-winning academic, psychiatrist and author Dr. Erol Göka is from Çal.
[edit] See also
- Çalkarası grape variety
[edit] External links
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Not to be confused with the rocks of the same name in Spil Dağı (Spil Mount) National Park located near Manisa and associated with Niobe.
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