The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa overlooks the longest river of Turkey, Kızılırmak (Red River because of his dark color). It is a quiet town hardly countıing 12.000 people.
It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and superb views over the river but also because it lies in the very middle of Cappadocia. And yet Avanos is far from being a chaotic and tourist crowded place as the other sorrounding villages. Wise tourists choose Avanos as a starting point for visiting the superb area without paying a crazy price for a hotel. Indeed Uchisar, Goreme or Zelve all are at less than 5 miles distance and can be reached easily with the local transit ( dolmus) system.
The local street market takes place every Friday and is the most pictoresque and colorful of all in Cappadocia.
The most famous historical feature of Avanos visible everywhere 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 times two thousand years ago and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used.
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