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6 places to visit in the Çal district of Denizli: Çökelez Mountain, Büyük Menderes River and Çal Cave. Plan your trip to Çal with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The district covers 860 km² and its average elevation above sea level is 836 metres. Çal is the fourth-largest district of Denizli by area.

History and Name

The ancient name of Çal was Mossyna, and it was known by this name until the Turks arrived in the region. The name Çal, meaning high ground or highland pasture in the Chagatai dialect, was given because of the district’s natural position. For many years the name Çal was used as the name of the region rather than of a settlement. The founding of the Çal region dates back to around 1072, when Turks of the Kayı tribe of the Seljuks opened the area to settlement. During the War of Independence, Çal put up strong resistance through its Kuvayı Milliye, and the Çal Mufti, Ahmet İzzet Efendi, was awarded the Medal of Independence.

Geography

Çal is built on the eastern foothills of Çökelez Mountain, which lies to its west. The deep valleys formed by the Büyük Menderes River in the region, together with various investments, have made irrigation and fish farming possible.

Economy

Most of the district’s people make their living from agriculture, with grapes being the main product. Çal grapes are a famous variety, and the type known as Çal Karası is very well known.

History and Culture

Çal, where various Roman-period remains have been found, came under Turkish rule in the Anatolian Seljuk period. The district, which was called Demirciköy until the end of the 19th century, began to be known as Çal at the end of the 19th century. Çal became a district of the Denizli sanjak in 1886. During the War of Independence, the resistance of the Çal Kuvayı Milliye prevented the Greeks from occupying Çal. Çal is said to have been known as the place where Dionysus lived.

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Places to Visit in Çal

  • 1 Ancient City
  • 1 Religious
  • 4 Nature
Nature

Çökelez Mountain

The district was founded on the eastern foothills of Çökelez Mountain, which lies to the west of Çal. Pamukkale is located on the western slopes of the mountain.

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Nature

Büyük Menderes River

The Büyük Menderes River flows near Çal, cutting deep valleys into the east of the district and forming canyons.

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Çal Cave - Çal Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Nature

Çal Cave

Çal Cave, the second-longest underground cave in Türkiye, has an open section of about 400 metres. Stalactites, stalagmites and travertines inside the cave make for an impressive natural sight.

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Nature

Çal Ovası

The Çal Plain, watered by the Büyük Menderes River, is surrounded by fertile farmland. The plain turns green in spring and offers beautiful views.

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Religious

Çal Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque, built in the Ottoman period, is the district's oldest place of worship. It is notable for its stonework and traditional architectural features.

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Ancient City

Dionysosopolis

According to one source, this ancient city is where theatre was first performed in the world.

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Places to Visit Around Denizli Province

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While you are in Çal, you can also see the highlights of Denizli province. These places are in other districts; Çal is about 55 km from the provincial centre.

  • Pamukkale Travertines — Brilliant white travertine terraces about 2,700 metres long and 160 metres high, built up over thousands of years by thermal waters rich in calcium bicarbonate; together with Hierapolis they were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. They lie about 20 km from the city centre.
  • Hierapolis Ancient City — The 'sacred city' built on top of the travertines, and the centre of the cult of Cybele in the Phrygian period.
  • Hierapolis Necropolis — One of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, north of the city, made up of sarcophagi, tumuli and house-shaped tombs.
  • Antique Pool — A thermal pool in Hierapolis where columns brought down by an earthquake lie under the water; you swim among fragments of ancient columns in water at about 35 °C.
  • Hierapolis Archaeology Museum — A museum that has occupied the Roman bath of Hierapolis since 1984; it displays finds from Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae, Tripolis and Beycesultan.
  • Laodicea — A city 6 km north of Denizli, founded in the 3rd century BC by Antiochus II, who named it after his wife Laodice; it is one of the seven churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation.

Practical Information for Visiting Çal

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Çal

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  • Denizli Kebabı

    Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices and cooking it over a wood fire. It is served in the local restaurants of Çal.

  • Gözleme

    Thinly rolled dough filled with cheese or herbs and cooked on a griddle. Fresh gözleme can be found at Çal's markets.

  • Höşmerim

    A traditional dessert made by mixing curd cheese with flour and sugar and cooking it in a pan. Its fresh, natural ingredients make it a healthy choice.

  • Çal üzümü

    A famous grape variety grown in the district.

  • Çal şarabı

    There are wineries in the district where wine is made from grapes.

  • Alabalık

    A trout facility operated by YeşilÇal A.Ş. is active in the district.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Çal

  • Bağcılık Kültürü

    Viticulture in Çal is a tradition that has lasted for centuries. Çal Karası grapes, one of the region's most valuable agricultural products, are used to make wine and molasses.

  • Mağara Kültürü

    Çal Cave is the district's most important natural and cultural asset. The cave has been known to local people for centuries and is the subject of various legends.

Local Products

  • Denizli Çalkarası Üzümü/Denizli Çalkarası — Denizli Çalkarası grapes were registered as a protected designation of origin on 7 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 616). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Çal Chamber of Agriculture.
  • Çal Karası Üzümü — Çal is famous for its own Çal Karası grape variety. Wine made from these grapes is one of the important local wines of the Aegean region.
  • Pekmez — Grape molasses is traditionally produced in Çal. Local pekmez is widely used in the kitchen as a natural sweetener.

Economy

Çal's economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Grape, wine and molasses production is the district's most important economic activity. Wheat and vegetable farming are also carried out. Nature tourism is developing thanks to Çal Cave.

How to Get to Çal

Çal is 55 km from Denizli city centre. There are regular minibus services from Denizli.

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Çal: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Çal?

The 6 highlights of Çal are: Çökelez Mountain, Büyük Menderes River, Çal Cave, Çal Plain, Çal Grand Mosque and Dionysosopolis.

What should I eat in Çal?

Denizli Kebabı, Gözleme, Höşmerim and Çal grapes are the standout flavours on Çal's tables.

What is Çal famous for?

Çal is known for Denizli Çalkarası grapes and its viticulture culture. It is a registered product with protected designation of origin status at TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Çal?

Çal is 55 km from Denizli city centre. There are regular minibus services from Denizli.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Çal?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer.

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