THE ART OF TERRACOTTA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY: TAVAS CASE (DENİZLİ / TURKEY)

The article presents the art of producing terracotta, part of an important cultural heritage in Medet, Tavas region, Denizli province (Turkey). The case study examined the works of Hasan Hüseyin Savçı's family, the only representative of the terracotta art in Denizli. The aim of the undertaken research is to describe, analyze and evaluate the importance of the handicraft for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the region. The research used document analysis, which is one of the qualitative research methods, and additionally a partially structured questionnaire as a data collection tool. The field research was conducted in the Medet District. The undertaken research and analysis of the collected material confirm the great importance of the works of successive generations of the Savçı family for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the region dating back to the early Bronze Age. The handicraft of Necip Savçı, reconstructions and reinterpretations of the works are characterized by exceptional artistry. Research on the local raw material, a structured interview allowed for the documentation of terracotta production techniques and the problems related to their sale. The results of the research emphasized the importance of cultural heritage, such as terracotta, for the preservation of local identity, and at the same time being an important tourist attraction