Turkish carpets are of excellent quality and design and are rivalled only by Persian carpets.
Turkey Courtesy of Discover Turkey Marco Polo noted the fine quality of Turkish carpets in his writings in 1271. A large number of Turkish and Persian carpets were being sent to Europe as early as the 16th century. The increased trade relations with Europe and the strong western orientation of some of the Ottoman emperors clearly influenced some production and designs. Still, carpet weaving has been around a very long time and is an established tradition in the fabric of life in the carpet producing areas of Turkey, Persia, Turkestan and the Caucasus. Historically, the Turks moved to present day Anatolia from Central Asia, their carpet weaving traditions following them westward to Turkey and Persia, where they ultimately reached their highest expression.