Kayseri is one of the three important districts in Anatolia where large size wool on cotton carpets for halls are produced. The warp and the weft is cotton, the knots are wool. Representing the continuation of the first examples of palace carpets, the origins of their designs date back to the period of Seljuk. Seljuk carpet weaving reached its peak in 13th and 14th centuries within caravans carried their carpets ot Byzantium and the far west as the eastwest trade route passed through Anatolia. This district has remained a carpet weaving center for centuries. Just as in all other centers, Kayseri has also its unique patterns and colors.

Marco Polo wrote that the most beautiful carpets he had ever seen were those in the districts of Konya, Kayseri and Sivas. Old Turkish miniatures often depict foreign envoys being presented to the Sultan as they stand on the medallion of a carpet lying before the throne. these carpets are still woven today with the same beauty. the warp and the weft is cotton and their knots are wool. They are among the most durable carpets owing to their dense weaving and usually decorated with medallion and floral motifs.

Ottoman Sultans transported one of the carpet weaving centers distinguished for its superior craftsmenship to the Marmara coast. The Hereke carpet workshops were thus established in 1891 to weave carpets for the palace only. Carpets to be presented to the emperors of as gifts were also loomed at these workshop. Consequently the carpets produced there have been among the finest examples in the history of carpet weaving.

Both carpet and fabric weaving crafts advanced to such extent that fabric weaving for Ottoman Sultan's dresses and the internal decorations of the place as well as the carpets decorating the palace floors began to supplied exclusively from these workshops. A mutual exchange of motifs and designs between the carpet and fabric weavers also developed. This process led to an integrity of motifs in Hereke. The quality of weaving was also under the control by the sultans.

Hereke carpets are decorated with the most beautiful motifs, pointing to the continuity of the Ottoman culture in which love of nature has a special significance. Their patterns emerging from infinity, come into the carpet through one border and then go out through another, disappearing again into infinity. Natural flowers and bouquets are permanant patterns in Hereke carpets.