In the heart of Antalya's picturesque Döşemealtı district, lies a sight that would make anyone's eyes widen with awe – an incredible panorama of vibrant, meticulously crafted carpets and kilims spread across fields. A visual feast unlike any other, these fields tell a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Handwoven carpets and kilims from various regions of Turkey find their way to Döşemealtı, where they are washed, dried, and repaired before being laid out to grace the fields. The bright, interwoven colors create a visual symphony, a celebration of Turkey's rich cultural heritage.
These carpets and kilims aren't just spread across the fields for aesthetic purposes. Under the golden rays of the sun, they undergo a natural transformation. The sun's heat helps cleanse the textiles of microbes, while its light softens and enhances their colors, turning them into pastel shades.
The carpets and kilims are carefully turned at specific hours, and their sunbathing time varies based on their quality. While some require only ten days, others may bask in the sun for up to two years.
During the winter months, these pieces of art are carefully stored away, only to be laid out again in the summertime, where they dance and shimmer under the sun. A sight to behold, the fields attract interest from all over the world.
The Döşemealtı carpet fields have become a symbol of cultural beauty and are in high demand across the globe, with the USA leading the request list. Some of these extraordinary carpets find buyers willing to pay as much as 300,000 dollars.
The process doesn't stop at the fields. Around 5,000 to 6,000 carpets are displayed on the fields, then later washed in sterilized pools to cleanse them thoroughly. After packaging, they are shipped to their new owners, eagerly waiting to receive a piece of Turkey's soul.
The Döşemealtı carpet fields stand as a testament to Turkey's vibrant heritage and the unbreakable bond between tradition and innovation. It's a living tradition that draws admiration from those who witness it, a colorful embodiment of what human hands can create, and nature can enhance.
If you ever find yourself in Antalya, don't miss the chance to experience this visual marvel. The Döşemealtı carpet fields aren't just a sight to see; they're a story to be told, a cultural treasure to be shared, and a legacy to be cherished.