Hereke is a settlement in Kocaeli province, Turkey, located to the north of the Gulf of İzmit, near Istanbul.
Hereke is a unique weaving center located at the northern edge of Izmit Bay, near Istanbul.
[3] The establishment of the Hereke Imperial Factory by Sultan Abdulmecid coincided with the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace, in Istanbul.
The intricacy of the designs and the sheer volume of knots needed made the construction of Hereke rugs a very lengthy process.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, Hereke weavers produced their unique craft exclusively for the aristocracy of the Ottoman Empire, visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
Fine Hereke hand knotted carpets were presented as gifts to the royal families of Japan, Russia, Germany and England.