Phini Village is famous for the hand crafting of the traditional wooden chairs, unique in their sturdiness, comfort and style.

Constantina + Thomas

The craftsman, with the permission from the relevant authorities,  had to tour all around the forest  so as to select woods from Greek strawberry trees (antrouklia) and golden oaks (ladjia), parch them and leave them for several months to dry really well, and then use them.

They used no machinery or glue for the chair making but only age-old tools, a slice bar and an auger and their two hands. The result however was handmade, wooden chairs that lasted for a century. Chair making was a difficult job to do and for this reason it was almost abandoned by younger generations. Today a young couple Konstantina and Thomas have established a workshop in Phini under the name Dio dio Collective where they repair old chairs and make new ones.

Konstantina and Thomas have extensively studied and recorded all the stages of Phini chair making gathering enough knowledge as well as traditional tools for this purpose. Dio dio Collective have recently published their work and periodically organize exhibitions in this area.

In collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Dio dio Collective offer engraving and chair making workshops for children and adults.  More information about the workshops available on Instagram and Facebook.