Kalecik
Encyclopedia
Kalecik is a town and district of Ankara Province
in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey
. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 14,517 of which 9,450 live in the town of Kalecik. The district covers an area of 1340 km² (517 sq mi), and the average elevation is 725 m (2,379 ft).
Kalecik stands on a plain with the eastern boundary formed by the River Kızılırmak
while there are mountains to the south and the west. This agricultural district is known for its wine; other major crops include sugar beet and grains.
The popular grape variety Kalecik Karası
grows successfully near the Kızılırmak and is used to make some of Turkey's best red wine.
and even earlier (4000 BC). In the Ottoman Empire
period this was a thriving town recorded by the 17th century traveller Evliya Çelebi
as being a tading city with tanneries, coppersmiths and weavers.
Ankara Province
Ankara Province in central Turkey is the location of the country's capital, the city of Ankara.Ankara also gave its name to the Ottoman Empire's Ankara Province which covered a larger area than the current province.- Geography :...
in the Central Anatolia region 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...
. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 14,517 of which 9,450 live in the town of Kalecik. The district covers an area of 1340 km² (517 sq mi), and the average elevation is 725 m (2,379 ft).
Kalecik stands on a plain with the eastern boundary formed by the River Kızılırmak
Kizilirmak
-Geographical names in Turkey:* Kızılırmak River is the longest river of Anatolia* Kızılırmak, Çankırı, a district of Çankırı Province, Turkey...
while there are mountains to the south and the west. This agricultural district is known for its wine; other major crops include sugar beet and grains.
The popular grape variety Kalecik Karası
Kalecik Karasi
Kalecik Karası is a Turkish grape variety and a Turkish wine produced from this grape. This grape and wine are called by the name of area, the Kalecik district of Ankara Province, Turkey....
grows successfully near the Kızılırmak and is used to make some of Turkey's best red wine.
History
The area has a history going back to the HittitesHittites
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...
and even earlier (4000 BC). In the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
period this was a thriving town recorded by the 17th century traveller Evliya Çelebi
Evliya Çelebi
Evliya Çelebi was an Ottoman traveler who journeyed through the territory of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring lands over a period of forty years.- Life :...
as being a tading city with tanneries, coppersmiths and weavers.
Places of interest
- Kalecik Castle - an Ancient Roman ruin on the rock above the town.
- Ottoman architecture including a number of mosques and a bridge over the Kızılırmak.