Döşemealtı
The Carpetfields Of Antalya
By Slowtravelguide
When you are in the Antalya area in summer, this is maybe an excellent opportunity to visit the Turkish carpet fields in Döşemealtı.
Carpetfields in Turkey? What are they?
Carpet fields are a thing; they are exactly what this implies: fields full of carpets.
They are not only an opportunity because you can take beautiful photos, but the carpet field also has a purpose, and the leading participant in all of this is the hot Antalya sun.
Read about our visit and get the story behind the Turkish carpet field. It is the story of a family’s love for handmade carpets.
More Carpets Await Inside
All Shapes And Sizes Fill Antalya’s Carpet Fields
From Carpet Manufacturer To Carpet Repairer
The Börekçi family has been in the carpet business for almost 50 years. They started as carpet weavers and became carpet sellers and repairers over the years.
They are more than just sellers; they are collectors and connoisseurs.
There are more carpets in their storage room than they might sell in a lifetime All handmade products of all shapes and sizes.
The colourful result of their many trips in Anatolia hunting and rescue missions on those unique old-fashioned carpets are now replaced by industrial and synthetic carpets in many Turkish homes.
When they tell you this story, you can see they feel a little sad about it.
Authentic Carpet Patterns
Vibrant Colors And Natural Materials For These Handmade Carpets
The Carpets On The Carpet Fields Look Like Stamps
Spoiled For Choice…
What To Expect
How To Get There: Private, rental car (check the map below).
Nearest Airport: Antalya Airport.
Parking: Yes.
Terrain: Easy.
Stroller: Yes.
Income: No.
Facilities: Yes.
Best Time To Visit: Summer.
This is a family that loves its products. However, as they may find it difficult to find interested buyers in Turkey; people worldwide like authentic works, usually made with natural materials.
These hand-woven carpets were brought to Döşemealtı from all over the country. They will be sun-dried, repaired and cleaned here before being sold to mainly international customers.
Places Nearby
Ariassos, hiking Roman roads in Antalya (14 km)
Termessos, Alexander the Great (16 km)
Perge, the go-to place for colonnaded streets (28 km)
Susuz Han, a Seljuk masterpiece of exquisite stonework (28 km)
Antalya Old Town, (28 km)
The Turkish Carpet Sector: What’s The Deal?
In Karataş in Döşemealtı, near Antalya, the Börekçi family owns a large field next to their carpet studio and laid the carpet in the sun after the wheat was harvested.
The combination of dry sun heat, air humidity, wind and soil components can remove dirt and any additives that may be used. You can almost call it a natural disinfection process, leaving only organic root dye and wool.
The result is a vintage carpet with beautiful natural wool lustre and softness.
And The Setting Of The Carpets Fields Isn’t Too Bad Either!
The carpets are turned over repeatedly, exposing both sides to the sun. There is no set time to leave the carpet outside. Carpets are “harvested” after visual inspection if their colour looks entirely correct. Then is the time for the final restoration and repairs, performed expertly by skilled hands, after which the carpet is cleaned again before being sold.
In addition to repairing the carpet, the family also tried to preserve the damaged carpet fragments beyond repair. Torn rugs can still make beautiful cushions, pillows, and even unique laptop bags. This is the perfect way to upgrade anything used on handmade carpets.
If you have any questions about a place, feel free to ask. You can send us a message through our contact page or leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
You can also join our group Turkey Travel Photography on Facebook to share your lovely photos or experiences about Turkey.
Practical Information
The carpet area is used to dry the carpets only in summer. The reason is clear. A rainy day is a nightmare because all carpets need to be brought back indoors. Quite a big job! The family will start a small-scale from May if the weather permits, more commonly in June. Later, from July to mid-September, more and more carpets were laid on outdoor sunbathing areas, reaching the goal of at least 10,000 pieces in the summer months.
Although the field of carpets is visually attractive, they are not an attraction. This place is home to families and businesses and is not set as a commercial tourist destination. You can’t find any signs pointing in the right direction, nor can you see the carpet from the street. Of course, as always, we received a warm welcome and legendary hospitality from the Turkish people. Why are we mentioning this? Because we think it’s important to understand this in case you decide to plan a visit. This is not a place with opening hours and tourist facilities; this is something we should all respect.
If you are interested in buying carpets, we are sure you will find the right products, because we have never seen so many handmade carpets in one place! They are perfect souvenirs or gifts. A bit of authentic Turkey to take home or has been shipped to your address for convenience.
Places We Recommend
Buldan
Although not widely known, Buldan in the Denizli province, not so far from Pamukkale, is a town with a lovely old authentic centre. The old town and Buldan have been famous for their handwoven fabrics since before the Ottoman times. (Read more)
Denizli
This is an industrial city with an old coppersmith’s district, where some of the last remaining alemci’s in Turkey are located.
Bergama
Its UNESCO World Heritage Site often eclipses the small town of Bergama, located below the Acropolis of Pergamon. Travelers eager to tick the bucket list often skip it by mistake.
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