Silk Carpet Factory -- Istanbul Old City

 Unexpectedly, our Viking Tour Guide, Ahmet, took us to a 400-year old building that was part of the Silk Road, and served as a Caravan stop (hotel) for camel drivers and their camels. Around a huge courtyard, the first  floor accomodated the camels and the second floor their drivers.


Ancient Caravan Hotel for Camel Drivers


Now one of the main occupants is a Turkish carpet factory and wholesaler.  Our introduction to the business was the history of how the cocoons came from China to Turkey.  We saw a man unspinning the silk fibers from the cocoons and forming silk threads.  This silk is used in combination with wool or cotton to make the finished rugs.


We then seated ourselves around a large dspaly area and saw how crossstitch-like artistic graph are followed in the making of the Turkish carpets.  This was demostrated by a woman using only silk threads and weaving on a loom.  A Turkish rug is double-knotted which separates it from other rugs.




After being treated to refreshments, we saw an array of rugs; all sizes, shapes, colors, patterns handmade!








 

Comments

  1. ReneeApril 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM

    How many are in your Istanbul group, and how many of them came out with a rug?

    ReplyDelete

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