Located in Avanos, Nevşehir, Turkey, the world's first underground ceramic museum was constructed 20 meters below ground level, with a development period spanning approximately seven years. The museum showcases ceramic artifacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.
Featuring hundreds of ceramics, pottery, and various archaeological items, the museum houses nearly 1,000 pieces, including modern works. Güray Tüysüz, the museum's operator, stated, "We are currently in the world's first and only underground ceramic museum. The museum was established about ten years ago and is unique in terms of its architecture and concept."
The museum consists of three sections. The entrance features an exhibition hall that changes its showcased artists and works every 10 to 15 days. The second section introduces ceramic artists from Turkey, while the third displays historical artifacts found in various regions of Anatolia. The oldest items in the collection date back to 5,000 BC.
Tüysüz explained the project's significance, saying, "We aimed to showcase ceramics and pottery made by communities living in Anatolia over the last 10,000 years and to highlight our current achievements in this field. We hope this project will be a gift for future generations. Conducting a project underground is risky, as you cannot predict what you might encounter. We took a significant risk, and fortunately, we found a homogeneous and solid rock that allowed us to realize our vision. This was an expensive project, and we spread the work over seven years to complete it."
Regarding the museum's collection, Tüysüz noted, "There are approximately 460 archaeological items here. Together with our modern pieces, the total approaches 1,000. Foreign visitors are often surprised by such a project, especially when they enter the museum. They are shocked and impressed. Our greatest supporters are the visitors who come to the museum. Everyone finds something relatable here, reflecting the characteristics of our culture."