Crafts to discover Marguilan

The visits of this workshop are free and allow to follow all the stages of silk manufacturing. We start with the shed where the cocoons are kept in whole bags and where the workers make a first sorting according to the size, the quality, the state of the cocoons, before sending them to the next step. The boiling is done in large pots, after they have been preheated in the oven. The purpose of the operation is to free the thread of all the glue which maintains the cocoon in its shape. The chrysalis dies during this operation, without the cocoon having been damaged to remove it. The thread can then be unwound before being woven into carpets and fabrics, and then dyed. The colors used are from natural products (onion peels, pomegranate, turquoise, ladybugs ...). 200 people work in the factory, producing 50 to 60,000 m of silk each year, but can increase production to 200,000 m if necessary. The most interesting - and beautiful - part of the visit is to see the traditional looms, which are all between 100 and 200 years old. The workers there are only asked to weave the best quality fabrics. They will give you a demonstration without any problem. You can also ask to see the more modern workshops, where much of the work is mechanized. At the entrance, a store sells fabrics and rugs. Prices are obviously much higher than in the bazaar.