BULDAN

Discover Buldan, Turkey

Buldan is historically one of the most important textile centers in Turkey. The small hillside village has a tradition of hand-weaving that dates back to the 13th century. During the Roman Empire, the area became a center of textile production. Later, during Ottoman reign, Buldan was the source of clothing for royalty residing in Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace. By the end of the 19th century, there were over 1,500 looms in the village making it the largest textile production center of the time. With modern textile production, Buldan’s capacity has decreased to looms that primarily produce for local shops. Today, Buldan is famous for the production of handmade Turkish hammam towels called peştemal.

Location

Buldan is located in the Turkey’s Aegean Region. The Aegean Region is bound by the Aegean Sea to the west; Marmara Region to the north; Mediterranean Region to the south; Central Anatolia Region to the east. Among the four coastal regions, the Aegean Region has the longest coastline.

Provinces

Buldan is a district within Denizli Province. Denizli is one of eight provinces located in the Aegean Region: Afyonkarahisar (03), Aydın (09), Denizli (20), İzmir (35), Kütahya (43), Manisa (45), Muğla (48), and Uşak (64). Each province has a unique code license plate code. The license plate code for Denizli is the number 20.

Historic Locations

Buldan’s township of Yenicekent is the site of ancient city of Tripolis of Phrygia. The ruins date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods and include a theater, baths, city walls, and a necropolis. An ancient church, dating back 1,500 years, was discovered in 2013.

Cuisine

The mild climate and rich soil make the Aegean one of Turkey’s most fertile regions. Known for olive orchards and vineyards, the Aegean Region produces some of Turkey’s most prestigious olive oils and wines. The hillsides of Buldan are covered with pomegranates, figs, and blackberries. Buldan is also known for its vegetable dishes, balcan soğanı (onion), çağla dürümü (green almond wrap), and göce (split cereal).

Weather

Although the village is pleasant year-around, Buldan has hot and dry summers with cold and rainy winters. Average temperatures range from 33°C (91°F) in summer to 10°C (50°F) in winter.