Photo: The original uploader was Transepta at Turkish Wikipedia . (CC BY-SA 2.5) · Source 6 places to visit in the Kale district of Denizli: Tabae Antik Kenti (Tabae ancient city), Tabae Ancient City Kalıntıları (Tabae ancient city ruins) and Kale Kalesi (Kale Castle). Plan your trip to Kale with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Kale is a district of Denizli Province, founded on the site of the ancient city of Tabae. The district covers 684 km², and its central population lives at an average altitude of 1,013 metres above sea level. The ancient city was abandoned by its people in the early 1950s, and was rebuilt a few kilometres to the north.
Tabae was one of the most important cities of the Caria region, on the border with Phrygia, and was conquered by Alexander the Great. Tabae was a city with continuous settlement throughout its history. It hosts many monuments, including Carian-period marble inscriptions, a Roman bath, Byzantine remains, a Seljuk mosque and an 18th-century Ottoman mosque.
The intense migration after 1950 caused the district to lose population and affected its economic and social life.
In the Ottoman period the district centre was known as Kale-Davaz. From the 1950s the name began to be shortened and used as “Kale”. In the Ottoman period, the area gained importance as a key point on the trade routes between Kütahya and Muğla. Davaz Zeybeği is one of the regional dances of Kale district. Kale lost population through the intense migration that followed 1950.
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One of the most important ancient cities of the Caria region, on the border with Phrygia. It contains marble inscriptions, coins, a Roman bath, Byzantine and Seljuk-period remains, and works such as the Ottoman Cevherpaşa Mosque.
View on mapRemains of an ancient Carian-period settlement are found around the district of Kale. The theatre and the walls have partly survived.
View on mapThe castle that gave the district its name was built in the Byzantine period and used in the Seljuk period. From the castle ruins, the views over the surrounding valleys can be enjoyed.
View on mapThe plateaux in the upper parts of the district are favoured for picnics and nature walks in summer, for their cool climate and pine forests.
View on mapAn Ottoman-period mosque in the ancient city of Tabae.
View on mapRooms carved into natural rock on the cliffs and steep parts of a rocky plateau.
View on mapWhile you are in Kale, you can also see the highlights of Denizli province. These places are in other districts; Kale is about 55 km from the provincial centre.
Prepared by cooking lamb in a clay pot with onions, tomatoes and peppers. It is a local speciality also commonly eaten in Kale.
Thinly rolled filo dough filled with cheese or herbs and cooked on a griddle. Fresh gözleme can be found at the village markets of Kale.
Prepared by boiling crushed wheat and meat for a long time and then pounding them. It is the traditional dish of weddings and festival meals. Small differences in each village's keşkek recipe add to the richness of the dish.
A local dish of Kale district, known as pepper tatar.
A pepper grown in Kale district, which was registered in 2008 and given a geographical indication.
Yörük culture is strongly kept alive in Kale district. The nomadic way of life, the tradition of plateau living and traditional handicrafts continue.
The district takes its name from its historic castle. The settlement that grew around the castle has for centuries been important as a centre of defence and trade.
Kale's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Olives, grapes and cereals are the main crops. Small livestock farming and beekeeping are important sources of livelihood.
Kale is 55 km from Denizli city centre. Minibus services run from Denizli.
The highlights of Kale are 6 places: Tabae Ancient City, Tabae Ancient City Ruins, Kale Castle, Kale Plateaus, Cevherpaşa Mosque and Kayalara Oyulmuş Tek Odalı Evler.
Tavas Kebabı, Gözleme, Keşkek and Kaledavaz biber tatarı are the standout dishes on Kale's tables.
Kale is known for Kale Pepper and its Yörük Culture. It is a registered product with TÜRKPATENT as a Protected Designation of Origin.
Kale is 55 km from Denizli city centre. Minibus services run from Denizli.
Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.