Hair Museum of Chez Galip Guide
The Hair Museum: A Unique and Unforgettable Collection Guide
Prepare to be amazed by the Hair Museum of Chez Galip, one of the most unusual and intriguing museums you'll ever encounter. Located in a cave in Avanos, this museum houses a collection of hair samples from over 16,000 women from around the world. The story behind this unique collection is as captivating as the museum itself. The museum's story began over 40 years ago when Galip Körükçü, a local potter, had to say goodbye to a French friend who was leaving Avanos. As a memento, she left him a lock of her hair. Other women, hearing the story, began to leave locks of their hair as well, each accompanied by their name and address. Galip displayed these locks in his pottery shop, and over time, the collection grew into the extraordinary museum it is today. Visiting the Hair Museum is a truly unique experience. The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered in thousands of hair samples, each tagged with the name and address of the donor. It's a fascinating and somewhat surreal sight. Twice a year, Galip randomly selects ten names from the collection, and those women are invited back to Avanos for an all-expenses-paid vacation and pottery workshop. You can add your own lock of hair to the collection, becoming a part of this extraordinary story.
Transportation
The Hair Museum is located in the center of Avanos and is easily accessible on foot from most parts of town. If you are staying outside of Avanos, you can take a local bus (dolmuş) to the Avanos bus station and then walk to the museum. Taxis are also readily available.