Avanos

Hikayemiz

Avanos is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, located 18km north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is situated within the historic and tourist region of Cappadocia. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 35,145 of which 12,288 live in the town of Avanos. The district covers an area of 994km2, and the average elevation is 920m, with the highest point being Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at 1756m.The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak, which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia.The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river.ClimateSummers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and wet.Visitor attractions ZelveAbout 5km from Avanos and 1km from Paşabağları, the site of Zelve was founded on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. Consisting of three separate valleys, the ruins of Zelve is the area in Cappadocia with the highest concentration of fairy chimneys. Here, they have particularly sharp points and thick trunks. It is not known exactly when people began living in the dwellings carved into the rock, a lifestyle also common to other places in the region such as Uçhisar, Göreme, Cavuşin other than Zelve. What is known is that an important Christian community lived in Zelve and it was the religious center of the area from the 9th to the 13th centuries, and the first religious seminars for priests were held in the vicinity.