Ioannina, known as the “City of Silversmiths,” proudly embraces a cultural identity shaped for centuries by the fine art of silverwork. In 2024, the city celebrates this heritage with May as the Month of Silversmithing in Ioannina, vibrant program of events dedicated to showcasing, preserving, and evolving this traditional craft.
Spearheaded by a broad collaboration between the Municipality of Ioannina, KEPAVI. (Center for Traditional Crafts), the Silversmiths and Metalworkers Association of Ioannina, and the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, the initiative features exhibitions, open workshops, educational programs, and creative activities. Free access to the Silversmithing Museum and live demonstrations at KEPAVI offer a hands-on introduction to traditional techniques like clay casting, wirework, and ornamental engraving—many of which are kept alive by modern craftsmen.
One such craftsman is Nikos Golas, a civil engineer turned jewelry designer with nearly three decades of experience. Golas blends traditional methods with modern technologies such as 3D modeling, laser welding, and engraving, which streamline production without compromising artistry.
His open workshop hosts young artists and students, promoting a spirit of shared creativity over closed-door tradition. “Ideas give birth to more ideas,” he told the Athens-Macedonia News Agency (AMNA). “We follow traditional techniques but use modern tools to create and evolve.”
At the Silversmithing Museum, jewelry designer Dimos Papadopoulos leads design workshops for students and aspiring artisans. Emphasizing the architectural and artistic principles behind jewelry creation, Papadopoulos—trained at Paris’s École du Louvre—underscores the importance of merging aesthetic vision with technical precision. “Good design isn’t just about beauty—it must be constructible and true to its materials,” he explained to AMNA.
The registration of Giannitian Silversmithing in Greece’s National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023 was a milestone that led to the official designation of May as the city’s dedicated month of celebration. The success of last year’s activities was highlighted internationally at the 18th Meeting of the Network of Intangible Cultural Heritage Experts in Southeast Europe, held in Warsaw. There, Ioannina was chosen to host the next UNESCO-sponsored gathering in October 2025.
The art of silversmithing in Ioannina is as old as the city itself, with its roots tracing back to the Byzantine era. Historical sources confirm that silver was being processed in the region as early as those imperial times. Ottoman records from 1430 reveal that the craft had already reached a remarkable peak, cementing Ioannina’s reputation as a center of silversmithing excellence.
Over the centuries, the silversmiths of Ioannina expanded their influence well beyond Greece. Their exquisite creations were traded and exported to prominent cities such as Belgrade, Venice, Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, Skopje, and even as far as Russia. These artisans not only upheld a proud local tradition but also played a vital role in shaping a cross-cultural legacy of craftsmanship.
Today, Ioannina remains a vibrant hub of silversmithing, home to approximately 90 active workshops. These continue to produce handcrafted silver artworks using time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Among their distinctive creations are:
This living tradition not only continues to shape the cultural identity of Ioannina but also proves that the soul of silversmithing—its devotion to beauty, detail, and heritage—remains as vibrant today as ever.
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