Cappadocia’s moonscape valley and fairy chimneys are a “must-see” in Türkiye. This eastern Anatolian district, high on a rugged mountain plateau, feels a world away from the coast and is one of the world’s most unique locations. But aside from its unusual rock formations, underground cities and cave dwellings, the nearby town of Avanos is home to many of Türkiye’s most talented potters and artisans.

About Avanos Pottery

The town of Avanos lies on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red) River, 8 kilometres from Cappadocia’s historic centre of Goreme. According to Strabo, the town was known as Vanessa to the Romans and was the third most important city in the Kingdom of Cappadocia, after Kayseri and Kemerhisar. It was deemed an important city primarily due to its fertile volcanic soil at the banks of the Red River.

Avanos today is famed for its distinctive pottery and beautifully painted ceramics made from the red clay taken from the local riverbank and produced in the area since the time of the Hittites, around 2000 BC. The town is home to several authentic family-run potteries, where the skill of master pottery has been passed down from father to son through generations. Talented ateliers of the craftsmen use age-old foot-driven spinning wheels and traditional techniques to expertly shape and mould the red clay by hand, creating the vases, plates and earthenware we associate with the famous Avanos pottery style.

Turkish Ceramic Patterns and Designs

Traditional Turkish earthenware is usually elaborately decorated in cultural and floral patterns specific to a region or a historical period. and then crafted into plates, bowls, vases, cups, tiles and decanters. A lot of the Avanos pottery styles incorporate spirals, many in a blue arabesque pattern, and others are decorated in intricate flower patterns using simple colors on a white or pale blue background.

Chez Galip Pottery Studio and Hair Museum

Galip is a master potter who was raised in Avanos and learnt his craft from his father. He creates beautiful handmade ceramics in traditional, contemporary, geometric and floral designs. His cavernous studio is the most famous in Avanos, and it is known not only for pottery but also for the bizarre hair museum that lies within the building.

A visit to Chez Galip’s studio and hair museum will likely surprise you. More than 16,000 locks of women’s hair cover the walls and ceiling, all taken from ladies that have visited Galip’s shop. Each lock has a note and contact details attached, the reason is that Galip chooses ten locks of hair each year and treats the owners to a week-long holiday in Cappadocia, including pottery lessons with the master potter himself. It’s said that the leaving of hair started in 1979 when a customer left a lock as a memento and attached it to the wall. Since then, other customers have done the same, and now the sheer amount of hair led Chez Galip to be entered into the Guinness Book of Records.

Other Famous Pottery Studios in Avanos

Other famous pottery studios in Avandos include Hitit Canak Atolyesi, Ikizler Comlek Atolyesi, Ferhat Pottery and Avanos Carsi Seramik. Most of the studios are located in the basements of buildings carved out of volcanic rock, so the harsh sunlight doesn’t damage the vibrant colours used to decorate the ceramics. Most studios hold traditional pottery demonstrations, and entry is usually free. You can buy or commission pieces directly from the studios and the master potters, but you’re under no obligation to do so.

Guray Museum (Cappadocia Underground Museum of Ceramics)

Another interesting museum in Avanos is Guray Museum. Opened in 2014, it occupies 1,500 square meters and contains halls dedicated to historic and modern ceramics and a cultural space where temporary exhibitions are held. The museum was created by the Guray ceramics company, one of the oldest ceramic firms in Avanos.

Get Creative – Join an Avanos Pottery Workshop

Cappadocia is less than an hour’s flight from Istanbul or a short seaplane trip from the coast. 360 Yachting specialises in arranging bespoke VIP tours. We can combine a visit to all the historic highlights in Goreme with a lesson on making Avanos pottery led by a master potter. To truly experience all that Cappadocia offers, we suggest a 2-night stay at one of the region’s best boutique cave hotels. Optional additions include a sunrise private hot air balloon ride above the famous fairy chimneys, a tour of the underground cities, a horseback ride through Pidgeon and Love Valley, and a traditional Turkish breakfast or dinner at one of the many acclaimed restaurants in the region. GET IN TOUCH with us for details. For more info on Cappadocia, take a look at our blogs: Captivating Cappadocia: Reasons to Visit and The Most Romantic Restaurants in Türkiye (Istanbul and Cappadocia).