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Hotel Museum & Weaving Workshop in Mertola

Hotel Museum

In Mertola, an area inside the main lobby of the Hotel Museu (the Museum Hotel) is covered by glass and one can look down into the basement. In the basement of the hotel, an old Muslim neighbourhood was discovered.

In the past, this area was inhabited by the Romans and later by the Muslims. In the corridors of the hotel various photographs tell the story of the discovery of the ruins.

This old photograph shows when the hotel was being built and medieval remains were discovered
An area inside the main lobby of the Hotel Museu is protected by a glass
Corridors of this hotel show photographs which tell the story of the discovery
These objects on display are from the 12th century Muslim period in Mertola
Most of these objects are ceramics - it was common method of making pottery in the past
Items on display here belong to a mounted rider and some of the harnesses used by a horse

 

The museum has an area of 100 square meters which display a representative exhibition of archaeological work developed there, with a variety of items found at the same place. The objects on display are from the 12th century Muslim period in Mertola. Almohad living quarters were discovered where modern hotel sits today.

Map of the excavated site in the basement of the hotel
In this photo, path to the left was a street during the Almohad period and house sits to the right
The street beside the house goes uphill, since this part of Mertola sits between the river banks and the town
The room at the front (beside the wall) was used as a storage
This is the reception room (usually the largest room) of the house
Kitchen was important part of any house during the Almohad period and it was connected to a store room
There was a sewerage system in place and this house also had a toilet

Weaving Workshop

The Weaving Workshop in Mertola is part of the Mertola Museum project. Weaving woolen blankets is one of the region’s oldest traditional arts. Even to this day, some of the town folks are keeping this tradition alive. 

Blankets inside the Weaving Workshop Museum
The Weaving Workshop in Mertola is part of the Mertola Museum project
Wooden distaffs at display, beside the entrance of the workshop
Looking back at the entrance of the workshop
The decorative motifs of these blankets are similar to an ornamental style seen in the Berber traditions
Carpets are hanging from the ceiling
This is the main weaving station inside the workshop
Wool spindles work with the wool and expert weaver turn wool into beautiful blankets and other household objects
Wool is put through this manual thrasher which in return makes the wool thinner and softer
Dyes are used to colour the wool so different patterns can be created

 

Inside the Weaving workshop, one can see how wool is used to make beautiful products such as woolen blankets, rugs, linen towels and socks. 

It is amazing to see how many products can be made by using the weaving techniques.

After thrashing, wool is brought to the wooden wool winder - this round wheel is used to place wool on the bobbins
A wooden wool winder on display inside the workshop
Wool is spread around these wooden rolags and thus thread can be separated
A wooden chair used by a worker with attached distaff
Bobbins are stored at the bottom of a wooden table and some of the products are at the top
Now, hand weaving is a dying art but Mertola is keeping this art alive through this workshop
It is an interesting place to see the art of weaving in motion
There is a small giftshop inside the building which sells the products made inside the weaving workshop
It is amazing to see how many products can be made by using the weaving techniques
A carpet studed with beautiful patterns