The Avanos Hair Museum is located within the borders of Cappadocia. Due to its rich content, it is not only significant nationwide but also globally. It is an important tourist destination that attracts both local and foreign tourists. Known for its carpets, kilims, pottery, and delicious local cuisine, it stands out as a unique region.
Avanos Hair Museum Story
The story of the Avanos Hair Museum is incredibly interesting. It gets its name from over 16,000 women’s hair strands it contains. The museum is the sixth most interesting museum in the world. It all started with an unrequited love story. In 1979, a French tourist woman visited the pottery workshop of Galip Körükçü, a potter from Avanos. Through a series of coincidences, an emotional connection developed over time. However, the French woman had to return to her country three months later.
She wanted to leave a memento to remind Galip Körükçü of her. This memento is a lock of hair that will lay the foundations for the museum. The potter will hang this lock of hair on the wall of his workshop, and over time, the story will be heard by many people. Eventually, the wall with the hair will be filled with the hair of many women who were deeply moved by this story. The name of the unknown French lover is still not known.
The French lover will return years later and be shocked by the strands of hair she sees. Although she will never find out where her own hair is, it will not be found. The first work of the Hair Museum, which is now a globally known place and one of the first places that come to mind when Avanos is mentioned, is still unknown where these hairs are. According to a rumor, these hairs are kept in a special place known only by the potter. This museum, with its fascinating and unique story, continues to be visited by many people and remains one of the first places that come to mind when Avanos is mentioned, attracting both local and foreign tourists.
The Avanos Hair Museum is not only significant for Turkey but also stands as a first in the world. Therefore, it holds the 6th position among the 15 most interesting museums globally. It derives its name from the 16,000 strands of hair it contains. Established in 1979 by a potter named Galip Körükçü, the museum has its unique story. It is located within a cave formed by carving rocks, which is in harmony with the texture of Cappadocia. Throughout the cave, strands of women’s hair sway from various points, continuing to surprise people from those days to the present. Travelers visiting this museum are consistently amazed by both the museum’s story and its appearance.
The museum is located in Nevşehir province and entered the Guinness World Records in 1998. It is a must-visit museum for those coming to Avanos. The museum has evolved into a sanctuary of memories where women who visit leave strands of hair they have cut with scissors. Visitors, mostly women, leave a lock of their hair as a keepsake. Some even attach their names, phone numbers, and, in some cases, even passport photos to the hair, expressing hopes of returning one day and finding it. However, to preserve the privacy of the hair donors, photography inside the museum is strictly prohibited.
The founder of the Hair Museum, Galip Körükçü, annually selects 20 strands of hair from among those left in the museum and invites the donors back to Cappadocia. He covers all their expenses and offers various experiences, such as horseback riding through the valley or personally teaching the art of pottery making. This initiative significantly contributes to Cappadocian tourism and leads to an increase in the number of hair strands within the museum. The collection now includes hair strands from well-known individuals like Selda Akor from “Asmalı Konak,” Nurgül Yeşilçay, İpek Tuzcuoğlu, and Semra Özal. Almost every woman visiting the museum leaves her own strand of hair as a part of this unique and growing collection.
Avanos Hair Museum is located in Avanos, which is part of the Nevşehir province. The museum, with its fascinating story and unique exhibits, continues to welcome visitors. Avanos is situated approximately 18 km away from Nevşehir. The Hair Museum specifically stands in Avanos Square. If traveling by private vehicle, it is recommended to take the route via Göreme. Following the route through Göreme, you can reach Avanos within 5 minutes after leaving Göreme.
The distance between Nevşehir and Avanos is precisely 20 km, while the distance between Kayseri and Avanos is 64 km.
Avanos Hair Museum Address: Yeni Mahalle, Hasan Kalesi Mevkii 3, Avanos – Nevşehir
Avanos Hair Museum Directions
Avanos Hair Museum is located in the center of Avanos, and for those planning to visit, it is advisable to proceed along the Nevşehir-Göreme road. After Göreme, Avanos is just a 5-minute drive away. Traveling to Avanos via the Göreme road provides a more convenient route. The museum is situated precisely in the center of Avanos, accessible via the road leading to Göreme. Alternatively, one can use shared minivans departing from the city center to reach the region.
Before entering the hair museum, if you have made a purchase in the store, you can enter the hair section for free. However, if you only want to visit the hair museum, it is subject to a small fee determined by the store. The entrance fee to the museum has been set at 50.00 TL for the year 2024. Founded by Galip Körükçü, this unique museum is among the most interesting museums worldwide.
The Avanos Hair Museum has specific operating hours, allowing visitors to explore it at any time within these hours. The museum is open every day from 08:30 to 19:30. An important note for museum visitors is to arrange a meeting with Galip Körükçü before the museum visit. His pottery workshop should be the first stop, and after the meeting, the museum can be explored. This way, the story can be heard firsthand, and the museum visit afterward will reinforce the experience. A must-see attraction that welcomes thousands of visitors every year, this museum is truly one of the most fascinating in the world.
