Soufli is inextricably linked to silk – not only as a product, but as a way of life, an economic activity and a cultural identity. This relationship, which has shaped the history and architecture of the place, is one of the main reasons why Soufli is still recognized today as the "city of silk."

The history of silk begins in the East, and for centuries, the knowledge of sericulture remained almost exclusively a Chinese secret. According to tradition, the decisive "transfer" of sericulture to the West took place during the Byzantine era, when, on the orders of Emperor Justinian, monks secretly transported silkworm eggs to Constantinople in 554 AD. Since then, silk production has developed in important centers in Greece, such as Corinth, Thebes, and Kos, while Byzantine silk weaving became a benchmark for the history of European weaving.

In more recent times, the wider region of Thrace—and Soufli in particular—benefited from favorable climatic conditions and the extensive cultivation of mulberry trees, which are essential for silkworm breeding. During the Ottoman period, silkworm breeding was a traditional occupation, but significant growth came gradually in the 19th century. Especially from the second half of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, Soufli developed into an important commercial center, with sericulture playing a leading role in the economy and social life.

Important historical circumstances contributed to this boom. The crisis that hit other European production centers (due to silkworm diseases) and changes in international markets shifted interest toward Greek production. Soufli silk was renowned for its quality, while the local community organised itself around the "annual calendar" of breeding, cocoon collection, spinning and weaving.

The intense silk production activity also left a distinctive architectural mark on the city. The well- known "cocoon houses" (or "bitziklikia," as they are called locally) were dwellings that combined living space with silkworm breeding space, uniquely reflecting the integration of production into everyday life.

Today, Soufli remains a benchmark for Greek sericulture. The knowledge and techniques of silk production, passed down from generation to generation, continue to inspire contemporary applications and creations.

The Silk Art Museum weaves this rich history into a coherent narrative, giving visitors the opportunity to learn not only about silk as a material, but also about the place that made it famous.