Antalya’s famous carpet fields open for summer
The agricultural fields of Antalya’s Döşemealtı district are transforming into a massive, colorful patchwork as thousands of handwoven rugs from across Türkiye are laid out under the intense Mediterranean sun to be naturally sanitized, cured and prepared for global export.
The annual practice, which has become a distinctive feature of the region, sees carpets dyed with natural plant-based pigments spread across open farmland. These carpets, many of them valuable handmade pieces, are exposed to sunlight and the area’s unique climatic conditions to enhance their appearance and preserve their quality before being shipped abroad.
This year’s season started later than usual due to increased rainfall during the winter and spring months. Preparations are now underway as fields are plowed and readied for the carpets, while textiles themselves undergo washing and treatment before being transported to the drying grounds.
With temperatures expected to rise in the coming days, workers will begin laying out carpets across the fields. The process allows rugs to be naturally disinfected under intense sunlight while helping restore their original tones and achieve the soft, faded appearance prized by collectors and buyers.
