Avanos brings together the Kızılırmak and a pottery tradition that dates back to the Hittite period. The old settlement, historic houses and bridges add an architectural perspective to the river and its crafts. This makes it possible to discover the town from several different angles.

Find your bearings by the Kızılırmak

Avanos lies on the banks of the Kızılırmak and is considered one of the best places to experience the Red River. The northern part of Avanos by the river includes the old settlement, the bazaar and government buildings. A section of the Kızılırmak riverfront was laid out in 1969 to make it more suitable for walking. Çanakçı Statue stands in Çarşı Meydanı, in the centre of Avanos district. It symbolises pottery and carpet weaving, bringing two traditional crafts together in a central square.

Pottery in Avanos

The pottery tradition in Avanos has been known since the Hittite period and continues to this day. Avanos is the main centre of pottery. Most workshops are located within the town and consist of natural caves carved into the rock; some workshops are outside the town. Potters use clay from the nearby Kızılırmak to make ceramics and pottery. The tradition, materials and distinctive form of the workshops give this craft several tangible connections to the place.

Houses and cultural heritage

The traditional houses in the old town are mostly two storeys high and are characterised by stone vaults and fine stone and woodwork. A different scale is offered by the three-storey Dr. Hacı Nuri Bey Mansion: Mehmet Nuri Bey had it built from local stone in 1902. The building once served as a government office and was later used for many years as the Tekel building. Today, the historic mansion houses the Kapadokya Yaşayan Miras Müzesi. It is dedicated to presenting, preserving and passing on the region’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. If you would like to include the museum in your stay, check visiting options in advance.

Religious buildings also offer their own historical perspectives. Alaaddin Mosque is in the centre of Avanos district; its Ottoman Turkish inscription, which gave the year 1202, was stolen. The old Yamanlı Church is located in the Yeni Mahalle neighbourhood. It is said to represent Christian culture from the 4th to the 6th century.

Two bridges, built at different times

Construction of the historic stone bridge began in 1898, and it opened in 1900. The wooden bridge in Avanos was built in 1973. It is 180 m long and 2.30 m wide, rests on iron supports and is exclusively for pedestrians. The bridges thus differ both in when they were built and in the recorded details about the wooden bridge’s form and use.

Explore Avanos according to your interests

When choosing where to stay, you can consider what interests you most about Avanos: its riverside setting and walking path, pottery with its rock-carved workshops, or its historic houses and buildings. These themes offer different ways to explore Avanos and help you choose a destination that suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Ayvali, Göreme, Nar, Gülşehir, Uçhisar, Ortahisar, İbrahimpaşa Köyü, Boğaz

For the main travel overview: Nevşehir.