The Silk Tale
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Port
Dubrovnik, Croatia
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$129.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Silk is one of the oldest textile fibers known to humankind. During the Roman Empire, it was sold for its weight in gold. In the 1990s, during the war in Croatia, the Konavle Valley was occupied by hostile forces and many of its houses were burned down. Along with the houses, hundreds and hundreds of handmade national costumes were lost.
In the Konavle Valley, local women are now on a mission to keep the ancient craft of silk production alive, not for profit but to leave a piece of their beautiful heritage for future generations. They started re-making all the lost costumes, even when they were still refugees. Several volunteer groups were formed to help, and the silk thread produced here today is mainly used for this purpose. Share in this magnificent cultural endeavor as you produce a silk thread in the age-old, traditional manner. The thread you produce will be used to embroider new costumes. Listen to an explanation of the process, from cocoon boiling to thread reeling, dyeing, plying, reeling, weaving, and embroidering.
Enjoy the hospitality of a host family in the village and connect with some of this ancient country's profound cultural values as you actively participate in their rebirth and restoration.