Saturday, August 15, 2009
Kalkan, Turkey became an important port during the 19th century - more than Fethiye or Antalya, its two larger neighbors. People of both Greek and Turkish origin subject to the Ottoman Empire settled Kalkan between 150 to 200 years ago, it was known by its Greek name "Kalamaki." Camels brought goods to Kalkan from the nearby Xanthos valley and cargo ships were then loaded in Kalkan's harbour to sail for the far reaches of the Ottoman Empire carrying goods such charcoal, silk, olive oil (still produced in Kalkan) and wine, as well as cotton, grain, sesame seed, flour, grapes, acorns used for dye, and lumber from the vast cedar and pine forests.
Kalkan had become quite a sizeable village by the early 20th century. It had its own custom’s house and in 1915 there were reportedly seventeen restaurants, a goldsmith, a shoemaker and several tailors.