Iconic Hereke carpet revived in Aksaray, on its way back to Netherlands’ Peace Palace
The restoration of the Hereke carpet, gifted to the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, during the Ottoman era and once serving as the International Court of Justice, has been completed after nearly a year of work in Aksaray, Türkiye, December 5, 2024. (AA Photo)
A 161.5-square-meter Hereke carpet, gifted to the Peace Palace in The Hague during the Ottoman era, has been restored in Aksaray, Türkiye, and sent back to the Netherlands. The restoration was carried out as part of a protocol between the Carnegie Foundation, which manages the Peace Palace, and Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The carpet, weighing 700 kilograms, was delivered to Aksaray Museum in May last year and later taken to Sultanhani district, known for its expertise in carpet restoration. The work was completed by an eight-person team over the course of one year.
Hereke carpet restored with precision and tradition
The restoration process involved eight stages, including archival research, damage assessment, and traditional dyeing techniques. Experts divided the carpet into 280 sections to identify 15 damaged areas, which were repaired using threads dyed to match the original colors.
After the restoration, the carpet was carefully packed in a wooden frame and loaded onto a truck, which was ceremonially sent to the Netherlands from Sultanhani.
Symbol of Türkiye’s cultural heritage
Sultanhani Mayor and restoration expert Fahri Solak stated that the carpet’s return to its birthplace for restoration was a significant achievement, adding:
This Hereke carpet was woven in these lands a century ago. Restoring it here and sending it back to serve as a symbol of peace is a great honor for us.
The carpet is set to resume its role at the Peace Palace, where it has stood as a symbol of international cooperation and peace for decades.
