Old Kalkan

short history of "Old Kalkan "

Today Kalkan is known for İts friendly atmosphere towards the many guests old and new who visit each year. Tourism started here in the 1960's, before that Kalkan was a Greek / Turkish village that was founded by the first settlers about 200 years ago

There are several legends about how Kalkan got its name. It is known that the first settlers were fishermen and traders. Kalkan had its own customs house, which has been beautifully restored and is now private apartments. The Mosque above the harbour was formerly a Greek Orthodox Church, today all are welcome to spend a few quiet moments there in prayer or reflection.It is hard to iınagine that Kalkan was once a very important trading port. People caıne by caınel and donkey from the highlands, loaded high with goods which would then go by boat to other destinatlons, such as the Eastem Mediterranean, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Cyprus, Rhodes and other parts of the Ottoman Empire. Looking around Kalkan today it is hard to imagine that there was once a thriving charcoal making industry here. Silk was also produced, a local skill now sadly lost. There are still quite a lot of Mulberry trees, now kept only for the sweet fruit that they produce, much loved by the children who rush to eat them before the birds! The remains of the Olive Oil factory are still here but now the olives go to one of the villages just outside of Kalkan to be pressed in much the same way as in bygone years. Olive oil is available locally, and is siınply "The Best" at a very reasonable cost. Also try the Olive Oil soap (wonderful for your skin) made in one of the nearby viliages.

Kalkan has undergone a lot of changes in a few years, but we hope that the visitors will continue to enjoy the Magical Pull and keep coming back to soak up the sun, scenery and charm of this village.