Tavas
Encyclopedia
Tavas is a town and a district of Denizli Province
of Turkey
, on a wide plain on the road to Muğla
, near to the district of Kale
(and often the two are linked in one breath Kale-Tavas). Population is around 12,720
(but which has not been thoroughly excavated or researched). Many civilizations have settled here including the Hittites
, Phrygians, Persians, Ancient Greeks, Romans
, and Byzantines
.
In antiquity this land south of the Menderes River was part of the region of Caria
and was controlled from the nearby castle of Kale (known as Tabae
in antiquity).
(dried chick peas). This is a rural area and many of the young generation have migrated to the Aegean coast or to larger cities in search of careers (they have a reputation for canny business nous). The remaining people are mainly aging and conservative, there are a great number of mosques on the skyline.
Tavas is a small town providing a bank and other essential facilities to the surrounding villages. There is little in the way of entertainment or social amenities (a few cafes and a couple of internet cafes), although the local pizza pide
is much admired.
There is a well known folk dance Tavas Zeybeği, which is always performed at wedding parties in the town.
Denizli Province
Denizli Province is a province of Turkey in Western Anatolia, on high ground above the Aegean coast. Neighbouring provinces are Uşak to the north, Burdur, Isparta, Afyon to the east, Aydın, Manisa to the west and Muğla to the south. It is located between the coordinates 28° 30’ and 29° 30’ E and...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, on a wide plain on the road to Muğla
Mugla
Muğla is a city in south-western Turkey. It is the center of the district the same name, as well as of Muğla Province, which stretches along Turkey´s Aegean coast. Muğla center is situated inland at an altitude of 660 m and lies at a distance of about from the nearest seacoast in the Gulf of...
, near to the district of Kale
Kale, Denizli
Kale is an attractive rural district of Denizli Province of Turkey near the town of Tavas. Kale is a 45-minute drive from Denizli on the road from the city of Denizli to the Aegean city of Muğla...
(and often the two are linked in one breath Kale-Tavas). Population is around 12,720
History
The area has been occupied for a long time, proven by the presence of the mound of Medet Höyük, which appears to date back to the Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
(but which has not been thoroughly excavated or researched). Many civilizations have settled here including the Hittites
Hittites
The Hittites were a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.They established a kingdom centered at Hattusa in north-central Anatolia c. the 18th century BC. The Hittite empire reached its height c...
, Phrygians, Persians, Ancient Greeks, Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, and Byzantines
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
.
In antiquity this land south of the Menderes River was part of the region of Caria
Caria
Caria was a region of western Anatolia extending along the coast from mid-Ionia south to Lycia and east to Phrygia. The Ionian and Dorian Greeks colonized the west of it and joined the Carian population in forming Greek-dominated states there...
and was controlled from the nearby castle of Kale (known as Tabae
Tabae
Tabae is a Catholic titular see. The original diocese was in Caria, a suffragan of Stauropolis; according to Strabo it was located in a plain in Phrygia on the boundaries of Caria. The place is now Tavas, near Kale, Denizli in Turkey; some inscriptions and numerous ancient remains have been...
in antiquity).
Tavas today
Like in Denizli, there are textile and clothing industries in the area, and the town also produces leblebiLeblebi
Leblebi is a kind of snack made from roasted chickpeas, very common and popular in Turkey. It is sometimes roasted with salt, hot spices or dried cloves. There is also a candy coated variety...
(dried chick peas). This is a rural area and many of the young generation have migrated to the Aegean coast or to larger cities in search of careers (they have a reputation for canny business nous). The remaining people are mainly aging and conservative, there are a great number of mosques on the skyline.
Tavas is a small town providing a bank and other essential facilities to the surrounding villages. There is little in the way of entertainment or social amenities (a few cafes and a couple of internet cafes), although the local pizza pide
Pide
Pide may refer to:*Pita, a type of flatbread typical of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines*PIDE , the political secret police during the authoritarian Portuguese regime of the Estado Novo*Pakistan Institute...
is much admired.
There is a well known folk dance Tavas Zeybeği, which is always performed at wedding parties in the town.