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    • Crete has a long tradition in weaving, with many of its woven textiles still being used in daily life today. These textiles are known for their quality and beauty, as well as their practical value. Let’s get to know the most important types of woven textiles of Crete.

  • 1. Vourgies or Vourialia

    • Vourgia Vourgia

    • The vourgia is a characteristic bag of Crete used for many different purposes. It is worn over the shoulders with the help of straps, much like a backpack. Villagers used it to carry their food and a flask of wine when they went out for agricultural work. The vourgia was also an essential tool for Cretan shepherds. Even students from the villages used vourgies to carry their books. In earlier times, people also used the vourgia to carry gunpowder and bullets.

      The vourgia is characterized by geometric decoration on its front side, while the back side, which usually remains unseen, is decorated with simple stripes. One of the dominant motifs, repeated in various sizes, shapes, and colors, is the diamond, followed by triangles and zigzag patterns. A "rich" Cretan vourgia features dozens of woven diamonds, both small and large.

      Traditionally, vourgies were made from wool or cotton fabric, and their decorations often included traditional patterns that were distinctive to each region of Crete.

      This practical bag was an integral part of Cretan daily life, offering a practical and durable way to carry essential items. Additionally, the vourgia reflected the tradition and aesthetics of Cretan culture, serving as both a functional and artistic object.

  • 2. Patanies

    • Patania Patania

    • Patanies are among the most traditional handicrafts of Cretan weaving art and form a significant part of Crete's cultural heritage. These woven blankets, beyond their use as bedding, are also used to decorate the home, providing warmth and beauty to living spaces.

      The decoration of patanies is rich and varied, representing an important chapter in the study of decorative patterns and themes in Cretan weaving art. Patanies encompass all categories of decoration, featuring designs that include decorative motifs, plant and animal themes, religious scenes, depictions of daily life, and historical references.

      Depending on the complex weaving techniques, patanies are given various names that reflect the different methods and characteristics. Some of these names include: patiti, stavroti, orthostimoni, deximati, kouskouselidiki, xompliasti, soskouli, ploumati, peramatisti, kilimati, and others.

      Patanies are made using traditional looms, and their weaving requires great skill and patience. The techniques and patterns used vary from region to region in Crete, making each patania unique. These woven blankets are usually made from sheep's wool, which provides durability and warmth.

      The patanies of Crete are not only objects of practical value but also works of art that convey the island's tradition and aesthetics from generation to generation. These woven blankets serve as a living link to the past, keeping the traditions and techniques of Cretan weaving art alive.


  • 3. Kilimia

    • Kilimi

      Kilimi

    • Kilimi refers to a type of traditional Cretan woven textile, often used as a carpet or wall hanging. These flat-woven rugs are renowned for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, making them both functional and decorative. Kilimia are typically made from wool and are known for their durability and warmth. The patterns on a kilimi can range from geometric shapes to more elaborate motifs, including floral designs, animals, and symbolic themes that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Crete. Each kilimi is a unique piece of art, showcasing the skill and creativity of the weaver.

  • 4. Hiramia

    • Hirami Hirami

    • In Crete, hiramia were a distinctive type of lightweight bedding that combined practicality with artistry. The tradition of creating and using hiramia in Crete has deep roots and is closely tied to the local weaving heritage. Cretan hiramia were primarily made from cotton, though wool was also used in some cases. These materials were ideal for the warm Cretan climate, as they were light and cool. Typically, hiramia were large enough to cover beds or couches, and their construction allowed them to adapt to various bed sizes, making them versatile and practical.

      The most characteristic feature of hiramia was their decoration. They were usually adorned on the two narrower sides with colorful designs. These designs included floral motifs (such as flowers and leaves), animal representations (such as birds, animals, or even mythical creatures), and human figures. The techniques used involved either weaving or embroidery, with bold and vibrant colors.

  • 5. Prosomia

    • Prosomi Prosomi

    • Prosomia are traditional, elongated woven items used in Crete, especially in rural areas. Their primary function was to protect the shoulder from the weight and friction when women carried jugs or other heavy objects. They were most often made from cotton or wool, and their decoration typically featured geometric patterns.

  • 6. Towels

    • Towel Towel Towel

    • Cretan woven towels were among the most important textiles in a dowry and played a crucial role in significant life events such as love, engagement, marriage, baptisms, and death. In everyday use, they were simple and functional, made from durable materials like cotton or linen, and decorated with modest geometric patterns. In contrast, for important occasions, the towels were elaborate and artistic, with decorations reflecting the significance of each event. For example, wedding towels featured patterns symbolizing love and happiness, while those for baptisms were adorned with religious symbols and depictions of purity. Even in funerals, the towels were decorated with more solemn and symbolic designs. This rich weaving tradition has been preserved over the centuries, with Cretan woven towels being valued for their aesthetic beauty and symbolic meaning, remaining popular as gifts and keepsakes.

  • 7. Sacks

    • Sack Sack

    • Large sacks used for transporting and storing various items, from food to personal belongings and dowries. They were typically made of cotton, often in solid colors with a few simple stripes.

  • 8. Athomantila

    • Αthomantila is a thick, usually square woven cloth used to cover laundry inside a basket. These cloths were rarely decorated. When they were decorated, they featured simple geometric or plant designs, typically placed on the top and bottom edges.

  • 9. Curtains

    • Curtain Curtain

    • Curtains were rare in Cretan homes in earlier times. When they began to be used, their colors were light, and their decorative patterns did not show much variety.

  • 10. Small Curtains or Kourtinakia

    • Kourtinakia were small curtains placed in front of the iconostasis, where religious icons were displayed. Their decoration usually featured plant motifs, with a cross typically placed in the center.


  • 11. Krevatogyros

    • Krevatogyros is an elongated woven textile used to encircle the lower part of the bed, concealing the legs that support the bed frame. Beautiful krevatogyri can be found in various colors, with decorative themes typically featuring plant and animal motifs, and less commonly, geometric designs.

  • 12. Banda

    • Banda is one of the main decorative elements of the household. It is hung on the wall, offering a cheerful visual display. The decorative designs on a banda are varied, including not only plant and animal motifs but also wishes, sayings, and depictions of historical figures.

  • 13. Apron or Podia

    • Podia refers to the apron traditionally worn by women for household chores and, at times, for agricultural work. These aprons are decorated with various designs, including animal and plant motifs.

      There are also men's aprons, which are longer and cover the chest, primarily worn by builders to protect their clothes from damage caused by stones and tools used in construction. These men's aprons were typically solid-colored, often in blue, or striped with bold lines at the bottom. The fabric used for men's aprons was thicker and more durable.


  • 14. Tablecloth

    • Tablecloth

    • Tablecloth covers the table and is decorated with plant and animal motifs. It serves as a cheerful decoration for the home.

  • 15. Psomomantila

    • Psomomantila is a large woven cloth used to cover bread or dough to help it rise faster.

  • 16. Gampas

    • Gampas

    • Gampas or kapa is a heavy fabric used to make a coat for shepherds.

  • 17. Faskia

    • Faskia is a long, narrow woven cloth used for wrapping babies. It is typically decorated with geometric patterns along its length or with the outline of a church at the edges.