Turkey- Avanos Markets and Pottery

If you love shopping local, check out the market scene in Turkey and tour the markets of Avanos in Cappadocia with me.

by Darley Newman

Every Friday in Avanos, a Cappadocia village known for its pottery and situated on the Red River, there is a large market where everything from fruits and vegetables to carpets to spices to household items is sold. We took a break from the saddle to check it out. Ahmet took us fruit shopping. While this is a small town and the market was amazing and huge. The produce was beautiful.

Ahmet introduced me to a woman from a surrounding village who was at the market to sell her produce. She is Alevis, a people whose faith is related to Islam as well as other traditions. There are millions of Alevi in Turkey. Ahmet could recognize her religion and the village where she lives by her dress. I do not know much about the Alevi, so was interested to hear about them and their beliefs.

After the market, we ventured to meet an Avanos’ potter, who specializes in making musical instruments from clay, including the udu drum. His shop and work center was really neat. He even performed for us, with an impromtu jam session.

Avanos is a big pottery making center in Turkey. It rests along the banks of the longest river in Turkey, which runs through Avanos. It's from the Red River that potters get red clay that they use to make their pottery. They have done this for a long time.

We are based in Avanos for our horse riding adventures in the area and staying at the lovely Kirkit Pension, where there is great food, live entertainment and a charming courtyard.

Darley Newman is the host of the Emmy Award-winning Public Television series Equitrekking®.

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