Why Kalkan ?
Kalkan;
Kalkan is set in one of Europe`s most breath-taking, grand sweeping Mediterranean bays, with the truly majestic Taurus Mountains as a backdrop. An exquisite harbour, full of Turkish wooden gulets and small fishing craft, bordered with waterfront restaurants and the beach, is where the beautiful and historic old town area extends back from the sea.
Formerly an important coastal trading port,Kalkan is now a thriving but still unspoilt resort with the bustling historic Old Quarter being the heart of the town. After dusk, its winding streets full of traditional houses, restaurants, small boutiques and local shops with overhanging balconies teem with people as the tantalising aromas of Kalkan`s renowned cuisine entice people down to the harbour and surrounding streets.
An eclectic mix of Greek and old Kalkan architecture, with roof terrace restaurants and lovely views to the sea, the old town is a place you will want to discover and enjoy.The Greek Orthodox Church by Kalkan`s harbour has been converted into a mosque and is the best example of Greek architecture in Kalkan, but at every turn whitewashed and stone buildings with shuttered windows timber and balconies reveal Kalkan`s history.
From Kalkan`s harbour, many of the beach clubs dotted around the bay are accessed by small colourful boats that provide a complimentary service to transfer guests, and traditional wooden Gulets offer boat trips to the beaches, islands and inlets nearby. Water sports, diving and fishing trips are also offered.
History;
Although Kalkan does not appear to have been a place of significant settlement in the distant past, it was the only safe harbour between Kas and Fethiye and so became an important port during the 19th century. It was settled 150 to 200 years ago by people of both Greek and Turkish origin and was known by its Greek name "Kalamaki." Goods were transported by camel from the Xanthos valley nearby and the mountain highlands near Elmali. From Kalkan, cargo ships sailed for the far reaches of the Ottoman Empire laden with cotton, grain, wine and timber.
By the early 20th century Kalkan had become quite a sizeable village. At the turn of the century it had its own custom`s house and in 1915 there were reportedly seventeen restaurants, a goldsmith, a shoemaker and several tailors. The first local elections were held in 1928 and in 1937 the present elementary school was opened.
Following World War I, the exchange in population between the new Turkish Republic and Greece took place in 1923 after the Turkish War of Independence. Most of the Greek origin people then living in Kalkan left Turkey. Some went to the nearby Greek island of Meis, but most were resettled near Athens. They were resettled as a community (like most Greek immigrants from Turkey) and named their new town "Kalamaki", after Kalkan`s previous name.
Trading continued until it faded away in the 1950`s due to the improvement of the Turkish road system and the adoption of overland transport. With no more sea trade, the population of Kalkan trickled away as people moved to larger coastal cities to find work. Luckily, Kalkan was saved by the arrival of wealthy English yachtsmen in the 1960`s and tourism eventually became the main economy of Kalkan. Because of this, Kalkan has retained its historic charm. Strict building and preservation codes are enforced and many of Kalkan`s buildings are listed
The Taurus mountains rise to over ten thousand feet and the highest peaks are snow covered right into early summer. Its magnificent scenery with its lakes, woods and forests, its stunning turquoise coast line and superb ruins of two dozen cities make Lycia a place to explore and enjoy. Lycia`s coastline runs for several hundred kilometers, borders the Mediterranean and attracts yachtsmen to the crystal clear waters and near perfect climate.
The UNESCO world heritage site of Xanthos was Lycia`s capital city for much of its history and the principal cities of Tlos, Myra, Pinara and Patara, all close to Kalkan attract visitors from all over the world to look at the ancient ruins dating back over 2000 years. The British museum also has an extensive collection of Lycian artifacts.
With a climate often compared to that of Southern California you can be guaranteed sun from May to October and beyond.Endless warm days can be spent at your private pool, on the town beach, visiting the many beach clubs, enjoying lazy days at sea, learning to sail, scuba dive, water ski - the choices are endless. And if the mood takes you there is plenty more to see outside the confines of Kalkan, the 12 mile long sandy Patara Beach in the next bay;-one of the top ten in the world (Sunday Times 2005),`Kaputas`- within 15 minutes of Kalkan and `Olu Deniz`- 45 minutes away, add to Lycia `s unique historic and scenic appeal to visitors.
