Industria textil tradicional en Grazalema

The textile craftsmanship of Grazalema (Cádiz) is very famous and the oldest in Spain. This textile industry maintains the artisanal practices that made its wool blankets famous, made without any mixture of other fibers. The work on the looms is demonstrated. The number of threads is placed on the warp in the desired order to form the fabric. The fringes are made by hand. The fulling process distinguishes the handcrafted blankets of Grazalema. Fulling is done in fulling mills or fulling sledges, so called because of the noise they produce. Ponchos, scarves, and hats of various styles are also made. Statements by Mario Sánchez, owner of the textile factory. Presented by Rafael Cremades ["This is My Town" 0121, February 22, 2014. Canal Sur Television] "...As early as the 17th century, Grazalema became famous for its textile industry, for the manufacture of blankets and woolen fabrics. The valley at the foot of the town, known as La Ribera, was an important area with watermills where wool was processed for the textile industry. Other mills in the same valley pressed olives to extract the precious oil (in warehouses) or ground wheat to obtain flour. Unfortunately, many, though not all, of those mills are now in ruins, abandoned, or transformed into summer homes, and have lost their machinery. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and the mass production of textiles in northern Spain took their toll on the economy of the artisanal industry in many towns like Grazalema—which once employed more than 4,000 workers in the various tasks related to the textile industry. As you can imagine, production practically ground to a halt, causing a..." Massive unemployment in the area. However, you can still buy top-quality wool products made in the traditional way and even visit the Grazalema Blanket Factory Museum to see products made with pure local wool... Source: http://www.turismograzalema.info/4-gr... Also on @ArchivoCanalSur February 22, 2014 ma2mm