Buldan is an important town and textile center in the Denizli province, well-known throughout Turkey for its high-quality clothes made from cotton, wool, and silk using traditional weaving methods in workshops. These methods have been used since around 800 BC and were developed during the Roman era, making the town a textile hub. During the Ottoman period, Buldan was the main source of clothes for Topkapı palace concubines and favorites. Nowadays, it remains a key provider of clothes in the province.
LOCATION
Buldan is located approximately 42 km from Denizli, on the road to Manisa. Its neighboring towns include Sarıgol to the north, Güney to the east, Kuyucak to the west, and Sarayköy to the south. The town has an ancient Roman settlement called Tripolis and is surrounded by mountains. The population is around 30,000, and the region has very fertile lands. The climate is reasonable, with hot and dry summers and cold and rainy winters. The average temperature is 33 degrees Celsius in the summer and 10 degrees Celsius in the winter.
HISTORY
The history of Buldan dates back to the Hittite period around 1200 BC when the first settlers, the Hittites, arrived. Throughout history, various civilizations have ruled the town and its surrounding areas, including the Phrygians, Lydians, Seleucids, Pergamenes, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Germiyan Principality, and Ottoman troops, each leaving their mark. For example, during the Roman era, the town was established as Tripolis with a Roman garrison, while it became a textile town during the Germiyan Principality and an Ottoman textile center. This led to the arrival of different nations and people to settle down and produce clothes and agricultural products.
Buldan was named after the mountain where the town was established, called “Boldağ.” During the medieval age, the town’s textile products became very famous throughout Asia Minor, and visitors often used a Turkish saying, “find the cloth and buy it,” to refer to the high-quality fabrics. As a result, the town’s name, “Buldan,” was derived from this saying. During the 11th century AD, Buldan clothes were imported from the area, and merchants came to the town to buy them for business purposes worldwide.
Before the Ottoman Empire took over the town of Buldan, famous trade guilds were organized to ensure the quality of cotton garments produced in the area. The Ottomans encouraged the expansion of the guild organizations and the maintenance of the quality of work, which led to the opening of new workshops and the rapid development of Buldan as a textile center. The reputation of Buldan clothes was noted from the Adriatic coasts to China during the Ottoman Empire. Famous clothes were sent to the Topkapı Palace to be worn by concubines, favorites, and queen mothers of Ottoman ladies for centuries.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Ottoman grand viziers and sultans presented Buldan clothes to foreign ambassadors, and later, the Western world could buy these high-quality fabrics from Venetian merchants. In the Sultans Garments section of the Topkapı palace, you can see wonderful examples of shirts, clothes, cardigans, and scarves produced in Buldan workshops. These fabrics often feature motifs of tulips, carnations, and floral patterns, and the colors are mainly blue, red, baked quince, and saffron-yellow.
At Tour Maker Turkey, we are passionate about promoting the rich culture and history of Turkey to the world. If you have been captivated by the story of Buldan and its exquisite textiles, we invite you to experience the magic of this town firsthand with our expertly crafted tours.
Our Buldan textile tours are designed to take you on a journey through time, exploring the ancient techniques and intricate designs that have made this town famous for centuries. You will have the opportunity to witness the traditional handlooms in action, watch the skilled weavers at work, and learn about the history and significance of each unique motif.
In addition to immersing yourself in the world of Buldan textiles, our tours also offer the chance to experience the vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural landscapes of the region. From exploring the charming cobbled streets of nearby villages, to tasting the delicious local cuisine, to soaking in the thermal hot springs that have been revered for their healing properties since ancient times, there is no shortage of unforgettable experiences to be had on our Buldan textile tours.
Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will be with you every step of the way, providing fascinating insights and answering all of your questions as you discover the beauty and history of this unique corner of Turkey.
So, whether you are a history buff, a textile enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler looking for a new adventure, we invite you to join us on a journey to Buldan that you will never forget. Contact us today to book your spot on our next tour and experience the magic of this ancient textile center for yourself.