Konya
One of the most historically important Regions of Türkiye, Konya has been the cradle for many ancient civilisations. Famous through the Hittite Empire, the Byzantine Empire and even referred to in the Bible, the area is rich with cultural and religious history.
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Konyan pottery making spans back to the early Neolithic period. Regions such as Sille, Hüyük and BeyÅŸehir have soil which is soil is naturally suited to pottery are some of the oldest and most famous homes of the craft.
A hub of tradition and vibrant nature
Ä°zmir
Revival of an ancient craft
Pottery in İzmir is largely made in the Menemen region. Pottery in Menemen has been made according to traditional methods for centuries.​ Pottery has developed greatly in this region due to the high quality of the clay structure of the soil obtained from the Menemen plain.
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Until the beginning of the 20th century the region was populated by the Greeks. After they left in the early 1900s there was a lull in pottery production, however Türk craftsmen quickly migrated from Konya and took over the workshops left by the Greeks, reviving the region's pottery industry. Today, 80% of the pottery in Türkiye is produced here.
NevÅŸehir
The most important pottery production in this region is made in Avanos, and is estimated to have survived from the Hittite Empire (1200 B.C) to the present day.
At the height of the Ottoman Empire, men from Avanos took the pottery they produced to the surrounding provinces and sold it by exchanging it for products such as rice, flour and grain. During long journeys pots often broke, and the shards were left on the roadside. It is speculated that there are thousands of pottery fragments buried along these trade routes to this day.
Today, thousands of local and foreign tourists attend famous pottery workshops in the NevÅŸehir region.
Pottery trails from ancient times
Balıkesir
In Balıkesir, the Ayvalık region is most famous for producing beautiful pottery. Derived from the word 'ayvada' meaning 'wild quince' and is also the name of a type of mussel found on the coast, the region has strong ties to the sea.
Ayvalık is most famous for Olives and high quality Olive Oil production, as well as it's seafood. An area with high tourism in the summer, it is connected to the Greek island of Lesbos by ferry. It's quaint, cobbled streets and vibrant markets have a Mediterranean feel, and the close connection to Greek classical era urns can be seen in the shape and curvature of the pottery produced there.
Pottery and Olives by the sea
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is one of the largest and most frequented tourist destinations in Türkiye. Famous for its landscape including the 'fairy chimneys' (rock formations shaped by volcanic eruptions), underground cities and caves, the region is a beautiful and rich with ancient history. It is also known for grape and wine production due to the fertile soil and temperate climate.
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Avanos is colloquially known as the capital of pottery in Cappadocia, with the red mud from the Red River giving much of Cappadocian pottery its characteristic colour. Much of the traditional pottery-making craft is preserved by craftsman in Cappadocia, and can still be seen in workshops.
A vibrant landscape of wonders
Isparta
Isparta is known for its Attar of Roses (rose oil), and currently provides 60% of the world's supply. Situated in the Lake District of Türkiye, Isparta is home to the Lake Kodova National Park, thousands of rose fields, and lavender fields.
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The region is home to much fertile land, particularly Uluborlu. As a result, they export cherries, pears, apples and quince around the world. This fertile land naturally lends itself well to pottery making.
Pottery with the scent of a rose
Manisa
The capital of Manisa province, Manisa city, has great historical significance. Since the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, Manisa has been a cultural and political hub for the country. As one of the most important cities in the Ottoman Empire, Ottoman Sultans would receive their schooling and military training there.
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Today, Manisa has many remaining buildings from the Ottoman period, and many ruins and ancient monuments that can still be visited.
An important historical hub