Carpet Factory

Carpet weaving was one of the main crafts and industries of the inhabitants of Asia Minor, initially for the Muslim populations as well as for some Christians. After 1860, the increased demand for carpets in the markets of Europe and the USA, as well as the Tanzimat (a series of political and economic reforms) in the Ottoman Empire allowed Christians to turn to this lucrative activity. They created commercial firms which exported the carpets woven by women at home or in workshops, in Kula, Milas, Bergama, Isparta. The refugees from Asia Minor brought to Greece their knowledge on carpet weaving after 1922. The development of carpet weaving in Greece was a way for acquiring a profession, particularly for women, and was characterized as a “miracle” as it boosted the Greek export trade.
A two-storeyed carpet factory was built in Vyronas by refugees from Isparta in Pisidia. The initial founder was the renowned carpet weaver from Isparta, Kahramanoglou. Then, the factory passed on to the Moraloglou family. Many young refugee girls were employed there. In the post-war period, due to the decline of the demand from foreign markets, the factory functioned mainly for carpet repair and cleaning. Later on, the municipality recuperated the first floor, which was known for years as “Steki” (i.e. a place for young people to hang out).