Arraiolos rug

Despite the difference in construction, the decorative patterns of Arraiolos rugs are closely aligned with those of Persian carpets, with similar motifs and symmetry, influenced by Islamic art.

The patterns and structure of the rugs evolved over time, incorporating influences from European textile arts, including Baroque and Rococo styles during the 17th and 18th centuries.

However, by the 19th century, the production of Arraiolos rugs began to decline, as the traditional craft was increasingly overshadowed by industrialization and the rise of machine-made textiles.

[1] The production of Arraiolos rugs is thought to have begun due to a combination of local factors: the availability of materials, the presence of weaving workshops, and a strong tradition of textile crafts in the region.

A migration and settlement of these people in Arraiolos and Alentejo is believed to have occurred during the 15th century, following a royal edict to expel non-Christians issued by King Manuel I of Portugal in 1496.