Tavas


Tavas is a town and a district of Denizli Province of Turkey, on a wide plain on the road to Muğla, near to the district of Kale. Population is around 12,720

History

The area has been occupied for a long time, proven by the presence of the mound of Medet Höyük, which appears to date back to the Bronze Age. Many civilizations have settled here including the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines.
In antiquity this land south of the Menderes River was part of the region of Caria and was controlled from the nearby castle of Kale.
In the 18th century emigrants from England settled in Garipköy and Sarıabat villages.
Tavas was reported as having a timber industry in 1920.

Tavas today

Like in Denizli, there are textile and clothing industries in the area, and the town also produces leblebi. This is a rural area and many of the young generation have migrated to the Aegean coast or to larger cities in search of careers. The remaining people are mainly aging and conservative, there are a great number of mosques on the skyline.
Tavas is a small town providing a bank and other essential facilities to the surrounding villages. There is little in the way of entertainment or social amenities, although the local pizza pide is much admired.
People commonly deal with agriculture. Tobacco and chickpeas are most planted products.
There is a well-known folk dance Tavas Zeybeği, which is always performed at wedding parties in the town.