A Journey to Millions of Years of History: Places to Visit in Avanos

History and Architecture in Avanos

A historical district located 18 kilometers from Nevşehir Center, Avanos is famous for its pottery activities, carpet weaving and grapes that have been going on in the region since the Hittite period. Pottery has been a source of income and a means of art for all the tribes that settled here. There are still pottery activities in Avanos that continue as a family legacy. The lands of Avanos, which used to color even Kızılırmak, which passes through the region, with its tufa and clay soil, have a spirit that has existed for centuries in terms of history and geography. Just feeling this spirit is good for a person, and tasting wines made with specially grown grapes on top of that makes this place one of the best places to escape from the modern world to nature.

On this 18-kilometer road from Nevşehir to Avanos, you will be surrounded by a historical texture. This view, which still exists in a certain geography, is like a journey through time for the modern person who comes out of the apartments and cars.

You will see new and old architecture together while walking around Avanos. In the old times of Avanos, the tribes that settled around Kızılırmak settled in caves to protect themselves from dangers. Over time, the houses built inside the cave cavities grew outwards and houses were built on top of the caves. Today, it is still possible to stay in hotels built by carving stones in the region. These accommodations, which are built by carving stones formed by the geological features specific to Avanos and its surroundings, will allow you to taste the historical lifestyle of the region, even if only for a short time.

Historical Avanos Houses

This region, where you can see the houses of Avanos that have defied centuries, whose architecture we have provided information about, is located right in the middle of the district. You will also encounter cave potters here, where you can get information about pottery activities and make pottery yourself. Potters operate in caves underground because the best conditions for the region's tuffaceous soil are there. While learning to make pottery, you can also buy handmade souvenirs from potters. If you examine in detail, you can find very different and beautiful sculptures. Apart from this, there are items made of pottery such as ashtrays, coffee cups, and casserole dishes that you can use frequently in your home. You can chat with local tradesmen here and pet the cats fed by the shops. You will also come across cave hotels in the area where the historical Avanos Houses are located. If you want to stay, you can choose these hotels with a bohemian spirit. Since you will be walking, you can take a breather in wine houses, taste wine, and drink mulled wine.

Kızılırmak Bank

Kızılırmak is one of the other elements that give the region the spirit of nature. Avanos is one of the crossing points of Kızılırmak, which has been chosen as a settlement by many states and tribes with its formation dating back to 2.6 million years ago. There are two bridges over the river. One is the Stone Bridge with piers from the reign of Abdulhamid II. This bridge was built for the passage of vehicles. The other is the Swinging Bridge. This bridge has become one of the sources of entertainment for people because it swings while passing over it. There are cafes around the Kızılırmak. There is a suitable path for walking. If you want to buy fresh fish, there is also a fish farm. The ducks and swans of Kızılırmak are another source of joy.

Apart from these two places, there are many places to see around Avanos for travelers traveling by vehicle. However, in this article, we wanted to tell you how to spend a day on foot in Avanos. If you want to eat, the testi kebab will be the most famous suggestion of the region.

Avanos is a region created by nature. Even the tribes that settled on the riverbank to live built their houses by carving caves under the influence of nature. Avanos, with its millions of years of stone formation and its location as a crossing point of Kızılırmak, will make you feel the 21st century view of the meeting of nature and man.

Written by: Selin Hızarcı