The birth of the Arraiolos Rugs doesn't have a precise date; however, historians believe they appeared in the 16th century by the hand of the townspeople who had settled in Arraiolos.
The Arraiolos Rugs are embroidered manually by artisans who use simple materials: tow, and pure sheep wool, which are dyed to color the motifs. They have their specific sewing stitch: the so-called Arraiolos stitch - an art passed over through generations.
These rugs with Persian roots have been used since the 18th century to decorate houses. They have also been changing their patterns and inspirations through time: the first period inspired by Persian rugs, later fading at the beginning of the 19th century, was marked with the use of their colors, symbols, and flower trees; the second period portrayed local elements on the carpets: embroidering birds, horses, boars, the countryside; and the third period, corresponding to the end of the 19th century, that depicted floral motifs.
Currently, the carpets are embroidered mainly by women, with a lot of precision and mastery. Each square meter of carpet can take between 12 to 18 days to design. The application to the World Heritage, currently being taken care of, is a goal shared with the community and regional executive bodies.