Avanos Pottery TownPlaces to Visit in Nevsehir

Avanos is situated along the main road linking Nevşehir, which lies 17 km to the west, with Kayseri, 65 km to the east. Traveling southward through Çavuşin (4.5 km) will bring you to Göreme, just 8 km away.

The most renowned historical hallmark of Avanos is its tradition of crafting earthenware pottery, a heritage that remains alive and thriving today. The ceramic industry in this region dates back to the era of the Hittites, and numerous pottery workshops continue to operate here. The charming old quarter, with its stone-paved alleys and scenic views of the river, is a popular attraction for visitors.

The earliest traces of human habitation in the Avanos region were discovered at the Zank Höyük mound, located 4 km northwest of Sarilar. This ancient hill rises 30 meters above the flat plain and spans roughly 300 meters in radius. Archaeological digs at Zank Höyük have revealed Assyrian trade ceramics dating back to approximately 2000 BC. Additionally, older pottery from the early Bronze Age and surface finds from the Phrygian and Hellenistic periods have also been uncovered at the site.

The town of Avanos, situated in central Turkey, has a long-standing reputation for its distinctive earthenware pottery, a craft that dates back millennia. Local artisans continue to shape their works from the natural red clay gathered from the banks of the Kızılırmak River, which runs nearby. Many Ottoman-era buildings have been beautifully restored for tourism, though some still remain in a dilapidated state. A stroll along Atatürk Street, which runs parallel to the river, reveals a neighborhood filled with these historic homes.

Not far from Avanos lies the Dereyamanlı Church, a modest cave church hewn directly into the rock. Inside its plain chamber, visitors can observe red geometric motifs, some of which are similar in appearance to the Star of David. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the church may have functioned as both a place of worship and a synagogue at some point in history. It is believed that construction began in the 5th century AD, over 1500 years ago. Today, it holds the distinction of being the only rock-carved church in Cappadocia where religious ceremonies are still conducted.

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