Dikkaya: Nature and Cultural Heritage

Dikkaya can be understood through several distinct connections: the conservation plan for the nature reserve in the Fırtına Dere Valley, archaeological protection and finds, and the Lazralli wooden car race. To decide whether the place suits your travel interests, it is worth keeping these aspects separate. The conservation plan concerns planning classification, the archaeological references include both a designated mahalle and finds in the surrounding area, while Lazralli refers to a local festival tradition.

Nature Conservation and Regional Classification

Dikkaya is one of the four villages in Çamlıhemşin district included in the approved conservation plan for the third-degree nature reserve in the Fırtına Dere Valley. The plan was approved on October 12, 2023. This links Dikkaya to a specific planning-based conservation category. For travelers who care about whether a destination is included in a conservation plan, this provides a distinct point of reference: it concerns the village’s role in the plan for the nature reserve and complements the area’s cultural and archaeological connections. This also places Dikkaya’s connection to nature in the context of regional conservation planning.

Archaeological and Historical Connections

Çay Mahallesi in Dikkaya is designated as a first-degree archaeological site. The corresponding decision is dated April 26, 2008, and bears the number 1593. This designation applies to Çay Mahallesi; archaeological finds from the area around the village are a separate matter. Four bronze axes were found there. Vessels filled with ash and bones, a spearhead, a dagger, a horse bit, a short sword, and a lion figurine were also discovered in the same area. This distinction in location is useful for understanding the context: the archaeological protection category applies to Çay Mahallesi, while the finds are associated with the area around Dikkaya.

Another historical reference concerns the village mosque of Mekaliskirit (Dikkaya). A 2025 scholarly study on historical mosque data lists it for the year 1808. Different kinds of historical references therefore sit alongside one another: a formal protection designation, archaeological finds in the nearby area, and a historical date associated with the village mosque. Those interested in Dikkaya’s cultural heritage can consider these separately: as a designated protected area, a find location, and a historical reference to the mosque.

Lazralli and When to Visit

The Lazralli wooden car race adds a local festival tradition to the area’s natural and historical connections. It is held in Dikkaya, formerly Mekaleskirit, as entertainment for Ramazan Bayramı, on a 500-meter-long track. For travel planning, this festival is a different point of reference from the conservation decisions and historical dates. If the race is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific event dates separately.

If you are looking for a hotel in Dikkaya, you can start by considering which of these aspects shapes your travel decision. The conservation plan, the archaeological designation, and the historical reference to the mosque offer different points of reference for nature and cultural interests. If Lazralli is the deciding factor, the event date is important for planning your timing. This way, you can choose your destination based on your interests and plan a visit around the race only after checking the date.

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