Avanos

Overview

Most of Cappadocia is dry rock and valley, but in Avanos, a river runs through town. The Kızılırmak, the Red River, slides past under a long bridge, colored by the clay it carries, and because that clay is so fine, potters have turned it into jugs and bowls for centuries. This is Avanos, the pottery town of Cappadocia. For a day with the potters, join our Avanos pottery tour.

A Town on the Red River

The Kızılırmak is the longest river in Turkey, known in ancient times as the Halys. Back then, the town was called Venessa, and in the time of the geographer Strabo it was the third town of the Kingdom of Cappadocia, with a famous temple of Zeus. Although nothing remains of the temple today, the river still shapes the town.

Old Avanos

First, climb the lanes of the old town on the north bank. Here, stone houses of the 19th and early 20th century, many built by Greek and Armenian families who once lived here, still show their carved fronts. Below the old town, small rock-cut spaces serve the pottery workshops as cellars and showrooms.

The Pottery of Avanos

Red clay

To this day, potters here use the red silt of the river, and the craft may go back to Hittite times. That is why it is still the town’s most important industry today. Walk into any workshop, and you will see wheels spinning, jugs drying on shelves and painted plates covering the walls. At Chez Galip, a family of potters for six generations, the ateliers work in rock caves just outside town.

Try the kick wheel

Next, sit down yourself. Many workshops let visitors work the kick wheel with their feet and shape a bowl from the river clay, and although it is messier than it looks, children love it.

Avanos Pottery, a Protected Name

Since 2017, Avanos Çömleği, Avanos pottery, has been a registered appellation of origin, held by Avanos Municipality and limited to the Avanos district. The clay comes from the old beds of the Kızılırmak and the hills around the town, and its iron oxide gives the pots their red color. Potters shape them on a wheel called the çıkrık and fire them in two-part kilns at 750 to 950 °C (1,380 to 1,740 °F). So when you buy a jug here, ask whether it was thrown and fired in Avanos.

Around Avanos

The town sits on the northern edge of the fairy chimney country. Just 5 km (3 miles) away, Zelve spreads across three valleys of abandoned cave dwellings, while at Paşabağ the chimneys rise with sharp points. Further on, at Çavuşin, the frescoed roadside church known as the Big Pigeon House dates from the 960s. Finally, north of town, at Özkonak, lies another underground city.

How to Visit Avanos

Avanos lies about 18 km (11 miles) northeast of Nevşehir, and a short drive from Göreme past Çavuşin. Our Cappadocia Ephesus Pamukkale tour in 5 days meets its potters on the second day.

We add Avanos to our North Cappadocia tour on request. Nearby, visit Göreme and Uçhisar Castle, and for more on the region, read about Cappadocia. For a hands-on day, see our craft workshops.