Three Generations of Craftsmanship · Plesio, Epirus
Bespoke Works
Crafted by Heritage
Sustainable by design, built for generations. Handcrafted Greek wool carpets — biodegradable, reversible, and made in Epirus since 1958. Trusted by over 400 churches and 40 hotels across Greece.
Our Collection
Our Products
Handcrafted wool floor coverings in three distinct families — from serene monochromes to sculptural shapes and artisan compositions.
Artisan and bespoke pieces bearing floral motifs, founder legacy designs. Each carpet is a singular expression of the artisan's craft — no two are identical.
Bold linear rhythm drawn from traditional craft patterns. Vivid multicolour bands reimagined for contemporary architectural contexts.
Solid-colour flat-weave carpets in rich, saturated tones. Double-face reversible, 10 mm pile height, 2.5 kg/m². Crafted for refined interiors where colour speaks for itself.
Geometric and hand-designed compositions in diamonds, grids, and quilted forms. Custom dimensions available. Each pattern is unique — no two pieces are identical.
Harmonious palettes where multiple colours interplay across the same flat-weave surface. Double-face reversible construction enriched with vibrant tonal combinations.
Round rugs and oval forms. Sculptural pieces that anchor spaces with organic geometry — from intimate accent rugs to commanding floor centrepieces.
Baskets, bags, and decorative wool objects crafted from the same 99% wool as our carpets. Each piece features a signature braided tassel. Available in nesting sets and individual forms.
In Context
Products in Living Spaces
Craft Details
Our Story
Three Generations of Mastery
The story begins in the late 1950s when Ioannis V. Ninos organised a small production workshop in the village housekeeping school of Plesio, a traditional village in the mountains of Epirus near the Albanian border. In the aftermath of WWII, this craft represented both heritage preservation and economic hope for the region.
In 1980, his son Vasilios I. Ninos formally established Epirus Carpets, merging inherited artisanal knowledge with engineering expertise. The result: a technically advanced, durable product line that earned the Gold Medal at the International Handicraft Exhibition in Munich, 1982. Today, the next generation carries this legacy forward — expanding into new markets while preserving the artisan soul of Epirus.
Ioannis V. Ninos
Founded the craft, late 1950s
Vasilios I. Ninos
Est. the company, 1980
The Next Chapter
New products, same soul
Recognition
Gold Medal, Munich 1982
In 1982, Epirus Carpets was awarded the Gold Medal at the International Handicraft Exhibition in Munich — a significant international recognition for the quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity of our work. This distinction remains to this day an essential point of reference for our identity and journey.
Where It All Begins
Plesivitsa — The Village by the Spring
Originally named Plisivrysa — “the place near the spring” — our village has been continuously inhabited since at least the 15th century. A Protected Traditional Settlement since 1978, it is the birthplace of an Ecumenical Patriarch, a renowned archaeologist, and a figure who changed the course of Epirote history.
Six Centuries of Documented History
The Ottoman cadastral register of 1431 records Plesio as a settlement of 41 families. Perched at 360–400 metres on the foothills above Filiates, the village grew into the largest traditional settlement in the district — a kefalokhori, or “capital village,” organised across twelve neighbourhoods with two- and three-storey stone mansions, arched doorways, cobbled lanes, and an extraordinary density of fourteen churches.
During the Ottoman era the settlement sustained tanneries, shoe-making workshops, and tailoring workshops, and was among the first in the region to establish a primary school and a post office. By the 1928 census it had 672 inhabitants. Although rural depopulation has since reduced its permanent population, Plesio retains its stone-built character, legal architectural protections, and a living artisanal tradition.
Just 6–7 kilometres away lies Ancient Gitana, the 4th-century BC capital of the Thesprotian Commonwealth, currently under restoration by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Nearby stands the Byzantine monastery of Giroméri, a 13th-century monastic complex nestled in the gorge of the Kalamas river, while Old Sagiada on the coast preserves traces of continuous habitation since antiquity. The village sits within a landscape layered with history stretching back millennia.
The hilltop village of Plesio — Protected Traditional Settlement, twelve neighbourhoods, fourteen churches
Distinguished Figures of Plesivitsa
A village of fewer than 700 inhabitants produced figures of national and international standing — testimony to the community’s enduring investment in education and faith.
Kyra Vasiliki
1789 – 1834
Born Vasiliki Kontaxi in Plesio, she became the wife of Ali Pasha of Ioannina — one of the most powerful rulers in Ottoman Greece. She never converted to Islam and used her influence to protect Christians across his territories, funding approximately 40 churches. A marble inscription dated 1818 on the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Plesio records her patronage. Her statue stands in the village square today.
Ecumenical Patriarch Anthimos VII
c. 1832 – 1913
Born Angelos Tsatsos in Plesio, he served as Bishop of Paramythia before ascending to the Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople in 1895. During his Patriarchate, the new Theological School of Halki was inaugurated. That a mountain village produced the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity is an extraordinary distinction.
Dimitrios Evangelidis
1886 – 1959
Born in Plesio, he became one of Greece’s foremost archaeologists. He directed the excavations at the Oracle of Dodona (1929–1933), the most sacred site of ancient Epirus, and held professorships at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the National Technical University of Athens.
Historical Milestones
Our Process
Our Art
From raw wool to finished masterpiece, every step is guided by tradition, precision, and passion.
99% Wool
99% wool with 1% polyamide reinforcement. High quality EU-sourced natural wool; premium rare-breed option from indigenous Greek breeds (Boutsiko, Frizarta, Katsikas). Wool is inherently flame-resistant and self-extinguishing — renewable and biodegradable.
Proprietary Technique
A proprietary human-operated industrial sewing technique developed within the family workshop. Every product follows a single, unified construction methodology for decades.
Built for Decades
Approximately 10mm thick, weighing 2.5 kg/m². Compact, resilient, double-face reversible pile — no backing, no adhesives, no latex. Architect-grade for large-scale interiors.
Bespoke Collaboration
Every product is manufactured in our own facilities and can be co-designed with the client — custom sizing, colors, and patterns for residential, hospitality, or sacred spaces.
Installations
Worship Places
400+ churches and 40 hotels across Greece. Seven decades of delivering, installing, and maintaining carpets in the spaces that matter most.
Delivery & Installation
Direct coordination from workshop to site. We handle logistics, provide installation guidance, and ensure precision fit for every space.
Maintenance Support
Post-installation care guidance, reversible construction for extended life, and ongoing support. Our carpets are built to serve for decades.
440+ Projects Delivered
From village chapels to metropolitan cathedrals, from boutique hotels to landmark properties. Every installation backed by seven decades of expertise.
Palette
Colorways
Inspired by the Epirus landscape — earth, sea, stone, vine, and meadow. Every hue drawn from natural wool, dyed with care, and woven into enduring palettes.
Natural
Sand
Burgundy
Coral
Stone
Ivory
Ocean
Maritime
Sage
Coastal
Gold
Rose
Product Care
Care & Cleaning
Our wool carpets are built for longevity. With proper care, they retain their texture, colour, and structural integrity for decades.
Gentle Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming with a brushless nozzle on low suction preserves wool fibres and removes surface dust without damaging the weave.
Professional Dry Cleaning
Periodic professional dry cleaning or low-moisture extraction is recommended. Avoid alkaline detergents and excessive water — wool responds best to gentle, pH-neutral care.
Onsite Cleaning Services
We offer onsite cleaning for large-format installations in churches, hotels, and public spaces — maintaining your carpet without the need for removal.
Reversible Construction
Our double-face weave doubles the usable life of each carpet. When one side shows wear, simply flip it for a renewed surface.
Stain Management
Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid rubbing. For stubborn stains, consult a professional wool carpet cleaner — never use bleach or alkaline agents.
Storage & Handling
Store rolled — never folded — in a dry, ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight during extended storage. Wool naturally resists moths, but proper ventilation is essential.
Video & Media
Our Story
Experience the craft, heritage, and artistry of Epirus Carpets through our video collection.
Click to play video
Featured: The Art of Greek Carpet Making
Inquire
Request a Quote
Tell us about your project and we will prepare a detailed proposal tailored to your needs.
Visit Us
Get in Touch
Plesio, Filiates 46300
Thesprotia, Epirus, Greece
Stay Updated
New collections, exhibitions, and insights from our workshop.
Plesio, Filiates 46300 · Thesprotia, Epirus
Map loading requires cookie consent (Google Maps sets third-party cookies).