Çal Explained

Type:metro district
Çal
Coordinates:38.0836°N 29.3989°W
Province:Denizli
Leader Party:CHP
Leader Name:Ahmet Hakan
Area Total Km2:860
Population Total:17889
Population As Of:2022
Area Code:0258

Çal (pronounced as /tr/) is a municipality and district of Denizli Province, Turkey.[1] Its area is 860 km2,[2] and its population is 17,889 (2022).[3] Çal district area occupies a central position in the northern part of its province and neighbors the district of Pamukkale to the south-west and the district areas of Güney to the west and Honaz to the south. To the east of Çal district lies clockwise the districts of Bekilli, Çivril and Baklan.

The town of Çal is located 640NaN0 north-east of the provincial seat of Denizli and is situated on a rocky hilltop overlooking a plain traced by Büyük Menderes River. The town lies at an altitude of 850m (2,790feet).

General 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, is reminiscent 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 vineyards. 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.

Composition

There are 34 neighbourhoods in Çal District:[4]

Sakızcılar Falls and the "Weeping Stone"

A notable sight of interest are the waterfalls near the depending village of Sakızcılar, on the slopes of the Mount Çal (Çaldağı) and at a distance of about 400NaN0 when coming from Pamukkale. Water of a stream that later joins 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).[5]

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, 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.

The award-winning author and poet Hasan Ali Toptaş is from Çal.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Büyükşehir İlçe Belediyesi
  2. Web site: İl ve İlçe Yüz ölçümleri. General Directorate of Mapping. 12 July 2023.
  3. Web site: Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports. 12 July 2023. TÜİK. en. XLS.
  4. https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Mahalle
  5. Not to be confused with the famous rock of the same name in Mount Sipylus in Manisa and associated with Niobe.