touch

In order to see the historical, cultural and touristic values of Muğla, it is sometimes necessary to touch the nature, culture and history of the region. As you spend time in Muğla, you discover the handicrafts that the local people have continued for thousands of years, the products and natural beauties created by the craftsmen in the region with traditional methods.

Those, who visit Muğla for its historical and touristic values, also want to witness the skilful construction process of the Bodrum gulets, which are regarded as the success in maritime since ancient times; as well as the Houses of Muğla and their Chimneys (Muğla Evleri ve Bacaları), which became a symbol of the city; the underwater world in the deep blue waters of the Muğla coasts. They want to experience the adrenaline-rich sportive activities like windsurfing and paragliding, and to explore all the other historical and cultural values of the city.

Handicrafts

One can find handicraft products with a history of thousands of years in Muğla today. Local handicrafts, which are about to disappear, are still kept alive by the local people, tradesmen and businesses in the region. The Yörük culture (nomad culture) and handicrafts, which have existed in the city since ancient times, have developed. And there is great interest in handicraft produced with great passion and virtuosity.

Dastar weaving, which is as old as the Turkic tribes’ settlement in the region, is a local weaving type. It is a characteristic type of weaving on which patterns, preferably of the same colour, with bleached cotton yarn, woven on a shuttle loom. In the Dastarhane in Fethiye, the textiles unique to the region attract the attention of the visitors. Kolan, woven in various colours and patterns in the form of thin and long belts, is another handicraft that carries cultural elements unique to the Fethiye region.

On the other hand, weaving has a history in Muğla as much as human history. Weaving forms an important part of traditional handicrafts in Muğla. In the past, the weaving was made to produce clothes and scarves, and has developed and diversified over time. The geographical conditions and lifestyle in the region show a parallel development with weaving. In the region where the nomad lifestyle was adopted, weaving developed in this direction. Milas Carpet, Kayaköy Carpet and Fethiye camel rugs are among the local weavings known in Muğla. Camel rugs are very important in nomadic culture to make the caravan ostentatious during migration between the plateau and the coast. This is an important moment for nomad women to display their talents. 

In Muğla, besides carpet, rug and mat weaving, cloth weaving was made for light covers such as clothing and sheets. Cloth weaving, known as Yeşilyurt weaving, is woven in many villages of Muğla, but today it is mostly woven in Fethiye / grapes, Bayır, Yeşilyurt (Pisi) and Kafaca towns. Woven cloths were mostly used as bed sheets and covers in the past, but today they are used as curtains, clothes, sheets and various covers. Muğla woven textile was introduced by private and public institutions to protect its traditional property enriched with modern design in various fairs and festivals. 

Another craft type developed in Muğla is coppersmith. The coppersmith centre of Muğla is Kavaklıdere district. Kavaklıdere is a district between the mountains and far from the centre. Although it is not known how coppersmith started and developed in Kavaklıdere, it has been determined that copper work has been done in the region for 4 generations and has been maintained as a family tradition. In the past, all the people of the district were making a living with coppersmith both in the production and marketing stages, but today very few families continue their profession. 

Muğla Marble

Muğla is one of the provinces with the highest quality marble in Türkiye. Marble is as important as tourism. It has been used in the construction of buildings for thousands of years It is known that the marble used for the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as well as the one used in the ancient city of Stratoniceia originated from this region.

Muğla White, Milas Lilac, Aegean Claret Red, Pearl, Kavaklıdere and Pink marble are the varieties that Muğla has to offer from its total marble reserve of 400 million tons and a workable marble reserve of 181 million m³.