A historic prayer row carpet preserved in a museum provided the design reference for the carpet installed during the restoration of the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Woven at Kalida’s facilities in Demirci using 100% Anatolian wool and natural dyes, the carpet was installed across the first five prayer rows on the raised platform at the front of the prayer hall.
A Historic Carpet as the Design Reference
The design was based on a prayer row carpet dated 1826, held under inventory number SA.325 at the Vakıflar Carpet and Kilim Museum. Recorded in the museum catalogue as originating from Kırşehir, the original measured 560 × 260 cm.
Its mihrab-shaped prayer rug motifs and surrounding borders informed the new carpet’s layout. The original compositions were repeated to fit the installation area while maintaining a clear connection with the historic reference.
100% Anatolian Wool and Natural Dyes
Material and colour choices for the Blue Mosque carpet project were based on the characteristics of the historic carpet. Anatolian wool was dyed using natural dyes and traditional methods to recreate the original colours.
This approach carried the historic design’s colour and material qualities into the new carpet.
Bespoke Manufacturing in Demirci
The carpet was woven at Kalida’s manufacturing facilities in Demirci, Manisa. Motifs from the historic reference, the prepared colours and the dimensions of the installation area came together in a carpet made specifically for the Blue Mosque.
Installation Across the First Five Prayer Rows
Prepared as part of the restoration works carried out between 2017 and 2023, the carpet was installed on the raised platform at the front of the prayer hall. It extended across the first five prayer rows, with repeating pattern compositions framed by borders around the area.
Rewoven by Kalida, the patterns of the museum’s historic carpet returned to a place of worship within the Blue Mosque.
Bespoke Carpet Solutions for Your Mosque
Together, we can assess patterns, colours and wool options suited to your mosque’s architecture, dimensions and prayer row layout. Contact us to learn more about our bespoke mosque carpets and professional installation services.