Shop: Chez Galip

Handed down over five generations, the savoir-faire of pottery is no longer any secret for members of the Galip family. A veritable institution around Avanos, the town in which their shop is to be found, Chez Galip invites its visitors to discover the practice of potting via a live demonstration. Guests can learn the art and skills required to manually create objects in ceramic and can then witness the meticulousness required to decorate the works. After having been immersed in the heart of the workshop, visitors then file through to the shop. This latter is home to thousands of pieces of pottery made and decorated not only by the masters, but also by students who have to study for six years before becoming professional. All sorts of objects can be found in the Aladdin's cave of pottery, from a small dish serving as a place to dump coins and keys to immense decorative objects costing over £40,000! Certain works have been conceived with the aid of phosphorescent paints.

Even if one can find such places and such items in many a town in Turkey, it is difficult to come across such a dedicated and skillful family of potters.

Address: P.O. Box 22 50500 Avanos - Turkey

Telephone: 0090 384 511 5758 / 4240