Antalya’s fields transform into open-air workshops for traditional carpet aging

ANTALYA, Türkiye (MNTV) — In the rural outskirts of Antalya, southern Türkiye, vast fields come alive each summer with the vibrant hues of handwoven wool carpets undergoing a centuries-old sun-aging process that merges artisanal tradition with nature’s elements.

From June through September, merchants from across Türkiye transport carpets and kilims to the Döşemealtı district, where recently harvested farmland is repurposed as a natural treatment ground, Daily Sabah reported in a feature. 

The rugs, dyed with natural vegetable pigments, are laid out under the intense Mediterranean sun to soften their colors, eliminate moisture and odors, and enhance their vintage aesthetic.

Veteran carpet dealer Hasan Topkara, who manages one of the last major operations of this kind, supervises the entire process. 

Each piece is meticulously washed, inspected, trimmed, and then spread across a 40-hectare area. Once drying begins, about 50 workers tend to the carpets daily, rotating them for even exposure and guarding them against sudden weather changes. 

In the event of rain, over 100 villagers mobilize to fold and shelter the rugs within 45 minutes, resuming the process once the skies clear.

Once aged to the desired tones—typically lighter, more subdued pastel shades—the carpets are shipped to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, where they often find international buyers. While up to 60,000 carpets were sun-aged in previous decades, Topkara’s team now handles about 15,000 per season.

The colorful spectacle has also become a cultural attraction. Since pop singer Mabel Matiz filmed a music video on site in 2018, the patchwork fields have drawn growing interest from tourists and photographers alike.