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Denizli
Denizli Municipality City Hall in the town center of Denizli
Denizli Rooster (Denizli Horozu)
Denizli is located in Turkey
Denizli
Location of Denizli
Coordinates: 37°46′N 29°05′ECoordinates: 37°46′N 29°05′E
Country Turkey
Region Aegean Region
Province Denizli
Government
Mayor Osman Zolan (Justice and Development Party)
Elevation 354 m (1,161 ft)
Population (2010)
Total 511,751
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 20x xx
Area code(s) (0090) 258
Licence plate 20
Denizli is a growing industrial city in the southwestern part of Turkey and the eastern end of the alluvial valley formed by the river Büyük Menderes, where the plain reaches an elevation of about a hundred meters. Denizli is located in the country's Aegean Region.
The city has a population of about 511,751 (2011 census). It jumped from 389,000 in 2007, due to the merger of 13 municipalities and 10 villages. The area of Denizli Municipality has increased almost five times and the population increase become around 50 percent. Denizli (Municipality) is the capital city of Denizli Province.
Denizli has achieved a remarkable economic development in the last decades based notably on textile production and exports.[1] Having become a vibrant center of manufacturing focused on exportation, Denizli is frequently cited, along with a number of other Turkish cities, as one of the foremost examples of "Anatolian Tigers" in reference to its rapid pace of development.[2]
Denizli also attracts many visitors to the nearby mineral-coated hillside hot spring of Pamukkale, and with red color thermal water spa hotels Karahayıt, just 5 km north of Pamukkale. Recently, Denizli becomes a major domestic tourism destination due to the various types of thermal waters in Sarayköy, Central/Denizli (where Karahayıt and Pamukkale towns are located), Akköy (Gölemezli), Buldan (Yenicekent), Çardak districts.
The ancient ruined city of Hierapolis, as well as ruins of the city of Laodicea on the Lycus, the ancient metropolis of Phrygia. Also in the depending of Honaz, about 10 miles west of Denizli is, what was, in the 1st century AD, the city of Colossae.
The weather is hot in Denizli in summers, whereas in winters, it may occasionally be very cold with snow on the mountains that surround the city. Some years, snow can be observed in the urban areas. Springs and autumns are rainy, mild climate, warm.
Etymology
The city was formerly known as Denizli Ladik[citation needed], that is, "Laodicaea on the sea/lake", but the town is not on the coast.
The name mutated through several spellings and may have referred to the abundance of underground water sources or the city's location on the way to western Turkey's lakes region nearby.
History
The area has been occupied since prehistoric times, there were important ancient Greek and Roman towns nearby, (Hierapolis and Laodicea on the Lycus), which persisted through the Byzantine period.
The city was founded in its current location after the area has been settled by the Turks. The inhabitants of Laodicea were resettled here in the Seljuk period.[3]
In the 17th century, the Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi visited Denizli and recorded the town as follows: "The city is called (Denizli) (which means seaside in Turkish) as there are several rivers and lakes around it. In fact it is a four day trip from the sea. Its fortress is of square shape built on flat ground. It has no ditches. Its periphery is 470 steps long. It has four gates. These are: painters gate in North, saddle-makers gate in the East, new Mosque gate in the South, and vineyard gate in the West. There are some fifty armed watchmen in the fortress, and they attend the shop. The main city is outside the fortress with 44 districts and 3600 houses. There are 57 small and large mosques and district masjids, 7 madrasahs, 7 children's schools, 6 baths and 17 dervish lodges. As everybody lives in vineyards the upper classes and ordinary people do not flee from each other."
The city lived in peace for centuries without being involved in wars in a direct manner. Following World War I during the Independence War, the Greek forces managed to come as close as Sarayköy, a small town 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Denizli, but did not venture into Denizli where resistance was being prepared.
Climate
Denizli is located in Aegean Region of Turkey, but the climate is not uniform neither in Aegean Region nor in the Province of Denizli. A terrestrial climate may be felt in the center of the province, because the area is like a pathway from the seaside to inland areas. The inland areas, like Çardak, Bozkurt, Çivril, and Çal districts/counties of the Province are cooler and have a higher elevation than the seaside, Western Part of the Province. Therefore there are climatic differences within the Province and even in the Denizli urbanized area. The land is open to winds coming from the Aegean Sea because the mountains are perpendicular to the sea. Winters are rainy or sometimes snowy, but generally mild.
Denizli today
An old house/restaurant in Denizli
Aside its visitor's attractions, the city of Denizli is known for its textile industry and (and outlet shopping for cut-price clothing), for connected fields of activity such as the dye industry, and for its famous roosters. The saying goes that Denizli is known for 'kız', 'toz' and 'horoz'; respectively, the girls, the dust and the roosters. Resourceful in catchy phraseologies evolving from the folk culture, the region also affirms itself by saying "Denizli'nin horozları bellidir" (the roosters of Denizli make themselves known).
Economy
The textile industry in Denizli grew rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s making itself a place in the domestic market and for exports. Towels and bathrobes and other home textiles are products associated with Denizli in particular emphasis. Thus, Denizli grew rapidly in the last decades, raising a number of very rich businessmen, some reasonable to very good restaurants, notably one renowned across Turkey for serving only mushrooms in different varieties (Mantar Restaurant), and the look and the amenities of a modern city. The biggest firms in the city include Değirmenci and Funika (especially for bathrobes).
Denizli, Turkey
Lifestyle
The city is quite smart with trees along the main avenues and views of the surrounding mountains from many locations. As Denizli has prospered in the 1990s, new compounds of luxury villas have sprung up on the city's outskirts in areas like Çamlık.
In the city itself, air pollution from coal-fired central-heating become a problem in winter. However, with the quickly expanding network and extensive usage of natural gas, air pollution problem has declined greatly in the elevated parts of the city, especially where only natural gas are used for heating.
There are some highly-regarded high schools such as Denizli Anadolu Öğretmen Lisesi, Denizli Anadolu Lisesi, and Denizli Erbakır Fen Lisesi.
Pamukkale University opened in the 1990s, now in phase of academic maturing with more than 28,000 students. Many young people still leave to go to university in İzmir, Ankara or Istanbul, and sometimes stay there to build careers.
Culture and entertainment
There are large shops, bars and cafes, even some live music, although this is a city that grew recently and is located deep in the countryside. The presence of Pamukkale University improves the cultural amenities of the city.
The region's inhabitants have been influenced by the production of grapes and the wine since centuries and a joyful culture is present in Denizli, although it is coupled with hard working and creative thinking, reflected in an apparent conservatism. For example, it is sometimes difficult to get a license to sell alcohol.
On the other hand, the new wealth in Denizli has been much more rapid than many other places in Turkey in investing in developing an urban culture. Many private clubs and associations are opening up including: The society for the Protection of the Environment and History of Denizli; The Poets and Poetry Lovers Association; the Pizza Appreciation Group and the Jazz-rock Local. There is an annual amateur theater festival, attended by groups from Turkey and overseas. Denizli has the second-largest number of ranking chess-players in Turkey, after Istanbul. Also, inspired by the unusually high reports of UFO sightings in the region over the years, one of the world's handful of museums dedicated to ufology was recently opened in Denizli.
Gazi Mustafa Kemal Elementary School
Food and drink
The wines of the Pamukkale winery are mostly made from traditional Turkish grapes such as Tokat, Narince and Çalkarası, although now they are planting Shiraz in the area too. They also make a well-known cherry wine. The Denizli kebab is roast lamb served on flat bread. Zafer Gazozu is a locally produced fizzy fruity flavored soda.
Transportation
Denizli Çardak Airport is about 45 minutes drive from the city center.
The extension of İzmir-Aydın highway to Denizli remains announced since years. Initial infrastructure is laid in Aydın, but the rest is yet to come and the present Aydın-Denizli road, although straight and flat, has a very high level of traffic, especially trucks, with each town along the road possessing its own industrial zone.
Places of interest
Laodicea ad Lycum - 6 km (4 mi) north of Denizli near the village of Eskihisar. The city was established by Seleucid King, Antiochus II in honor of his wife, Laodice. This trading city was famous for its woolen and cotton cloths. A letter written by a Laodecian says: "I am happy. I have fortune and I am not in need of anything." Following a large earthquake which destroyed the city, what remains of the ancient city are one of the seven churches of Asia Minor, the stadium, the amphitheatre and the odeon, the cistern and the aqueduct. (see further Laodicean Church)
Hierapolis and Pamukkale World Heritage Sites -20 km north of Denizli Pamukkale traventines. The city of Hierapolis was founded by the Pergamon King Eumenes II in 190 BC. Its closeness to Laodicea led to commercial and military rivalry. The town was built in Greek style. Despite suffering a violent earthquake in 17 AD, it reached its peak during the Roman and Byzantine periods. It was reconstructed during the 2nd and 3rd centuries in stone from quarries in the area, in a Roman style. The town had its most glorious years during the reign of Roman Emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla and became an episcopal seat during the expansion of Christianity. However, as a result of several earthquakes, the most violent of which was in 1354, a great part of the town was destroyed, and its people migrated.
The Seljuq caravanserai Akhan, which is 6 km from Denizli City on the Ankara highway, and a great part of which still remains, was constructed by Karasungur bin Abdullah in 1253-54 when he was acting as the commander of Ladik. It was recently restored along with the Ottoman konaks nearby and is set to become a visitor's attraction by its own right.
Honaz mountain is a popular picnic excursion for Denizli's people in summer.
The nearby village of Goncalı, which is on the railway line, is another excursion. People come to eat the charcoal-grilled thinly-cut kebab called çöp şiş, preferably with the local süzme yoghurt and a glass of rakı.
There is a statue of Atatürk at Çınar Meydanı in the city centre.
Servergazi turbesi is located close to the Yenişehir neighborhood. The tomb of the 12th century Turkish commander of the Seljuk akinci unit is located there. Many locals enjoy visiting and making prayers at the tomb especially on weekends.
Teraspark Shopping and Lifestyle Center, Teraspark AVM, located in the yenişehir. Teraspark AVM is biggest shopping center in Denizli.
Forum Çamlık Shopping and Lifestyle Center, Forum Çamlık AVM, located in the heart of the city centre, Demokrasi Meydanı/Square and surrounded by residential areas, welcomes more than 450,000 people within a catchment area of 20 minutes. The design of Forum Çamlık was inspired by the rich architectural elements that are unique to Province of Denizli. Local stones like Denizli travertine and marble are used for the cladding of many buildings. The visitors will enjoy a detailed artwork, small ponds, squares and rich landscaping features. Given its wide range of shop mix and entertainment facilities, including theaters/cinemas, the centre became a very important destination for visitors in Denizli and neighbouring cities.
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