Acıpayam

Acıpayam is a town and a rural district of Denizli Province in high country between the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. A plain, watered by two reservoirs, known for growing melons and watermelons, on the road between the city of Denizli and Antalya. It covers an area of 1700 km², and the altitude is 950 m. It has a population of 68,487 of which 9,887 live in the town of Acıpayam.

Etymology

The name Acıpayam means "almond" in the local dialect, the town was formerly named "Garbipayam" and "Garbikaraağaç".

History

The plain has been settled since 2000 BC, and Hittites were here in 1500 BC, followed by the Ancient Greeks and more civilizations up to the Byzantines and then the arrival of the Turkish peoples. From 1097 the area was in the hands of the Seljuk Turks. Turkish rule was interrupted by the Crusades but afterwards was settled by the Oğuz Turks and eventually was absorbed into the Ottoman empire.

Acıpayam today

As well as agriculture some of Denizli's textile industry has spread to Acıpayam too, and there is a cellulose factory too. in the past the people would migrate seasonally to pick tobacco or cotton in other parts of Turkey, today this is not necessary.

Places of interest

*Keloğlan Mağarası - a 145m long cave, open to visitors.

External links

* [http://www.denizli-bld.gov.tr/ Municipality of Denizli - primary source for the article]
* [http://www.acipayam.com A local news web site] tr icon