Darboğaz

Darboğaz is a village in Ulukışla District, Niğde Province, Turkey. Its population is 1,479 (2022). Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).

Geography
Darboğaz is a mountain town with an average altitude of 1460 m. The highway distance to Ulukışla is 15 km, and to Niğde is 60 km.

History
There are no written sources of the deep history of the town. The vicinity was probably inhabited during the Byzantine Empire era. The town's earliest settlers were the members of a Turkmen tribe in the 17th century. According to legend, the tribe leader was playing tar, a musical instrument, and the earliest name of the settlement was tarbaz or tar player. (The legend, if true, may show an Azerbaijani origin of the tribe.) That name may be the source of the modern name, which also means "narrow pass". Darboğaz was declared a township in 1968.

Economy
The main economic activity is agriculture, especially cherry horticulture. The annual cherry production exceeds 1500 t. Beekeeping and carpet weaving are other economic activities. Being a mountain town, the potential for winter tourism is also promising.

Activities
Darboğaz has plenty of activities for every age group. The younger generations can play football, as well as visit multiple cafés. The older generations can visit the aforementioned cafés and always stroll in the beautiful and scenic nature of Darboğaz.