Visit to Silk Weaving Museum in El Paso on La Palma 2025
Taller de Seda Artesana
Las Hilanderas, El Paso

On a viait to a Silk Weaving Museum in El Paso, a leaflet was available with the history of silk weaving in La Palma:

"The history of silk on the Canaries began shortly after the Spanish conquest. At the end of the 18th century this activity, which had been started by silk-worm farmers and isolated producers, took on a more industrial nature and became the region's main source of income. The small businesses had their workshops in the larger towns and produced wide fabrics destined mainly for the American market. On the other hand, individual craftsmen, dotted around more rural areas, supplied the local market .

In 1775 La Palma had 3000 "narrow" (for producing ribbons, braids, etc) and "wide" looms (for producing fabric with a width of around 70cm). At the end of the 18th century, beginning of the 19th, around 20 looms for wide fabrics and 600 for ribbons etc. were left, in addition to those that were used to manufacture pockets, garters, bows for shoes, hats etc.

In 1815, with 7.077 pounds, La Palma peoduced more silk than the rest of the islands where silk cultivation still existed.

In 1876 Mr Blas Carrillo brought modern French spinning methods to his factory in Santa Cruz de La Palma, which produced silk mainly for factories in Lyon.

In the 19th centrury the silk industry disapperaed for good in the Canary Islands except for the island of La Palma where it is still woven even today in the town of El Paso.

Colin Bower
31 January 2025

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