Ghiordes (modern Turkish spelling: Gördes) is a town in western Anatolia, in Manisa Province, that became one of the most influential rug-weaving centers in Turkish history. Ghiordes is particularly associated with prayer rugs woven from the 17th through 19th centuries — these are some of the most collected antique rugs in the world.
A classic Ghiordes prayer rug features:
- A single mihrab (prayer arch) at one end of the field
- A mosque lamp hanging from the top of the niche
- Floral or vase motifs filling the niche
- Multiple ornate borders in contrasting color schemes
- A soft color palette with ivory grounds, soft reds, blues, and gold
- Symmetric Turkish knot — sometimes called the Ghiordes knot because of its strong association with this region
The town's name is also lent to the Ghiordes knot itself — Turkish weavers throughout Anatolia use this knot, but it became conventionally named after Ghiordes due to the town's historical importance.
Ghiordes prayer rugs were so admired that they were widely copied in other Anatolian weaving centers — particularly Kula, Ladik, and Bandirma (Panderma) — for hundreds of years. As a result, "Ghiordes-type" prayer rugs from other regions appear regularly in the antique market, and accurate attribution requires expertise.
Contemporary Gördes rug production exists today but does not approach the quality of the classical 17th–19th century weavings, which remain the gold standard.