Avanos

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Nevşehir
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


map_caption =Location of Avanos within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Avanos


image_caption = A panorama of Avanos
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
population_total = 43131
population_urban = 11921
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 43.39
area_total_km2 = 994
latd = 38
latm = 43
latNS = N
longd = 34
longm = 51
longEW = E
elevation_m = 920
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 50xxx
area_code = 0384
blank_info = 50
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Mehmet Ünlü
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Mustafa Körükçü
website = [http://www.avanos.gov.tr www.avanos.gov.tr]

Avanos is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, located convert|18|km|mi|0|abbr=on north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is situated within the historic and touristic region of Cappadocia. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 43,131 of which 11,921 live in the town of Avanos.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-13|author=Turkish Statistical Institute|format=XLS|language=Turkish] [cite web|url=http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu|title=Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units|accessdate=2008-04-13|author=GeoHive|language=English] The district covers an area of convert|994|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on, [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-13|author=Statoids|language=English] and the average elevation is convert|920|m|ft|0|abbr=on, with the highest point being Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at convert|1756|m|ft|0|abbr=on.

The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak (Red River), 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. 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 superb views over the river.

Climate

Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and wet.

Visitor's attractions

* ZelveAbout convert|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on from Avanos and convert|1|km|mi|0|abbr=on 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.

* Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) ChurchThis church is located alongside Göreme-Avanos road at a distance of convert|2.5|km|mi|1|abbr=on leaving from Göreme. The church's narthex is missing. It has tunnel vaults, a high nave and 3 apses. It dates back to 964-965 AD.

* Güllüdere (St. Agathangelus) ChurchIt is located in the far left draw of the Güllüdere valley about convert|2|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the village of Çavuşin. It was founded at the mouth of the draw on top of a steep slope.

The design of the nave is square with a flat ceiling and it has a single broad apse. The apse was added in the 9th or 10th century to the main structure dating back to the 6th - 7th century. There are 2 or 3 layers of frescoes in the apse which indicates that it was painted regularly. Symbols of Gospel authors are drawn symmetrically and are sitting on the right and left of an enthroned Jesus.

In the middle of the flat ceiling is the relief of a cross in the middle of a circle surrounded with palm leaves and garlands. This sort of relief most likely belongs to the Iconoclastic period. The people of the area had a great love for the cross and it continued to be used as a motif after the Iconoclastic era because it symbolized the "Holy Cross" in Jerusalem.

* Özkonak Underground CityLocated convert|14|km|mi|0|abbr=on northeast of Avanos, this underground city was built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis in an area with lots of strata made up of volcanic granite. The extensive galleries of the city are spread out over a large area and connected to each another by tunnels. Unlike the underground cities in Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, there are very narrow (5 cm) and long holes between the different levels of the city that used to provide communication between the different levels of the city. The ventilation of these neatly carved out rooms was provided by these holes when the city was sealed up against enemies.

The city was discovered in 1972 by the local muezzin and farmer Latif Acar, when trying to find out where the water disappeared to when tending to his crops. He first found an underground room which, when later excavated, revealed a whole city which housed an incredible 60,000 people for up to three months. A total of 10 floors were discovered, to a depth 40m, although now only four are open.

Unlike the other underground cities in this area, besides the rolling stone doors, there were holes above the tunnels used for dumping hot oil on the enemy. Similar to Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, Özkonak has a ventilation system, a water well, a winery and rolling stone doors.

ee also

*Churches of Göreme, Turkey
*Derinkuyu Underground City
*Kaymaklı Underground City
*Mokissos

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.avanos.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon
** [http://www.nevsehir.gov.tr/resimler/harita/avanos.jpgMap of Avanos district]
* [http://www.avanos.bel.tr/ District municipality's official website] tr icon
* [http://maps.turkeyodyssey.com/city/maps_of_avanos.php Maps of Avanos] en icon
* [http://www.nevsehirozelidare.gov.tr/harita/avanos.jpgAdministrative map of Avanos district]
* [http://www.cappadociaturkey.net/zelve.htm Zelve with pictures and information] en icon