Description of the attraction
Avanos is a small town of Cappadocian artisans, known for its ancient pottery traditions and its proximity to one of the most famous landmarks of Cappadocia - the rock town of Zelva.
The old city of Avanos is located eighteen kilometers northeast of Nevsehir next to the Kyzyl-Irmak (Red River) valley, the longest river in Turkey (1151 km). The name of the river is explained by the color of the water in this section of its course. This is due to the fact that its channel is rich in iron ore and red clay, from which all Avanos ceramics are made. The Hittites called this river Marassantia - it was the border of their empire, and in the Hellenistic era it was called Khalis. In Hittite times, the city itself was born, which then served as a border outpost and a large trade center, famous for its potters.
Due to the loose clay soil, there are no cave churches or stone mushrooms in Avanos. But it occupies an advantageous strategic position in the central part of Cappadocia - to Zelva (6 km), Chavushin (6 km) and, if desired, you can walk to Goreme (10 km), and take a local bus to Ozkonak (25 km).
The city of Avanos has a rather ancient history: the discovered settlements of people in these surroundings date back to the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the excavations of Toprakla, an ancient burial ground. Avanos is famous for its clay products, made here in the 3rd millennium BC, even after many centuries.
Despite the fact that the numerous Greek, Ottoman and Armenian buildings of Avanos and the picturesque cozy streets of the old quarters are quite interesting in themselves, the real local attraction of this city is the pottery made by master potters.
Local craftsmen make beautiful pottery, which is decorated with geometric patterns and floral designs. This ornament can also be found in carpets traditionally made in Avanos. Carpets are made not only by workshops, but also by some local women who weave them at home using woolen and silk threads. Craftswomen with incredible patience pull these threads, tie them into knots, and then weave them on homemade wooden looms.
These products of local production can often be seen on the streets of the city against the background of houses of typical Muslim architecture, old buildings made of tuff blocks, on the facades of which there was often an open loggia. On the main square of Avanos, there is a monument depicting a potter, next to which women work at a loom. Every year, the city hosts a festival in which the city's craftsmen are honored and the best examples of ceramics are displayed. At the festival you can hear folk songs and music, as well as see dances in traditional costumes.
The picturesque old quarters are scattered with a large number of tiny workshops where you can buy dishes made using the technology used fifteen centuries ago. It should be noted that the craftsmen work in natural light, the dishes are dried only in the open air. After several days of drying in the sun, the dishes are fired in an oven for ten hours at a temperature of about 950-1200 ° C.
This town has been mentioned in recent years, mainly due to the unique hair museum created by Ces Galip, a skilled Turkish potter who is rightfully considered one of the strangest museums in the world. Under Galip's workshop there is an unusual exhibition consisting of the hair of about sixteen thousand girls and women. The ceiling, walls and other surfaces besides the floor are covered with locks of hair that previously belonged to various representatives of the fair sex who once visited this place, and pieces of paper with their addresses. It all started about thirty years ago under such circumstances. Galip's friend was leaving Avanos, and he was very upset about parting with her. So that he would not be very sad, she cut off and left him a lock of hair as a souvenir. Over the years, the potter has amassed a large collection of curls and addresses of women from all over the world.
Twice a year, in December and June, the first visitor to come to this shop is invited downstairs to select ten so-called “winners of the wall”. These lucky ones receive a one-week, fully paid tour of Cappadocia, and they are also given the right to try making their own for free in the workshop of Chez Galip. In this way, the potter thanks the women who helped him create this stunning museum, visited daily by new tourists. The entrance to the museum is free. Women are not obliged to sacrifice their hair, but if any of them wishes to do this, Galip always has scissors, a pen, paper, tape and pins at hand.
On the north side, over the central part of Avanos, there is a long cliff, over which there is a large terrace occupied by fields and a cemetery. You will have to work hard to find a way out to it from the urban development, but it is worth it, since you find yourself on the most spectacular place of Avanos. Especially beautiful landscapes open up from there at sunset. The southerly view of the mountains on the other side of the vast Kyzyl-Irmak valley is undoubtedly worth climbing.
