Greece’s cultural heritage is much more than just ancient temples and museum artifacts – it lives in the traditions, crafts, and customs passed down through generations. From the rhythms of age-old dances to the arcane techniques of master artisans, these traditions are woven into the fabric of cultural life, shaping identities, and uniting communities.

Now, seven more traditions have been officially recognized as part of Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a growing collection that safeguards the country’s diverse cultural expressions. This recognition aligns with UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, reinforcing Greece’s commitment to preserving the traditional customs, dances, crafts, and social practices that define its people.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, upon accepting the recommendation from the National Scientific Committee, emphasized that these newly registered elements are not mere echoes of the past, but vibrant, living traditions that continue to evolve.

“Intangible cultural heritage is the soul of our culture. It consists of the songs, dances, customs, techniques, and knowledge passed down from generation to generation, building bridges between the past, present, and future,” Mendoni stated.

From the art of barrel-making in Achaia to a centuries-old funerary tradition in Attica, here’s a closer look at the seven traditions now safeguarded as part of Greece’s cultural legacy.

The Craft of Barrel-Making at Achaia Clauss

Nestled in the rolling hills of Patras, in the northwest Peloponnese, lies Achaia Clauss, one of Greece’s most historic wineries. Established in 1861 by Bavarian entrepreneur Gustav Clauss, it is best known for its signature Mavrodaphne wine – a deep, sweet red that has become synonymous with Greek wine-making.

But beyond its vineyards, Achaia Clauss preserves another rare craft: the art of barrel-making. Master coopers, using techniques passed down through generations, handcraft oak barrels that have been essential to the winery’s production for over 150 years. The precise shaping, assembling, and charring of these barrels influence the wine’s flavor, making this craft an integral part of the region’s vinicultural identity.

Some of these barrels, remarkably, date back to 1882 and are still in use today. To honor this heritage, the “Varelatiko” (Barrel) Museum was established on-site, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous craftsmanship that continues to define Achaia Clauss.

The Viticultural Tradition of Mavrodaphne at Achaia Clauss

While the craft of barrel-making plays a crucial role, the Mavrodaphne wine itself has become emblematic of Greece’s rich viticultural history, made from a black grape that is indigenous to the Achaia region of the northern Peloponnese. This unique variety, which means “black laurel” – some say it was named after a woman called “Daphne” – is produced using a special process in which fermentation is halted with alcohol, thus preserving the grapes’ natural sweetness.

Beyond its presence at festive tables and celebratory feasts, Mavrodaphne holds a sacred role in Greek Orthodox tradition. It is commonly used as nāmā, the sacramental wine of the Holy Eucharist, strengthening its connection to both spiritual and cultural identity.

The Funerary Custom of Pontians in Sourmena, Attica

In Sourmena, south of Athens, the Pontian Greek community observes a deeply symbolic funerary tradition, blending remembrance with celebration. Each year, the first Sunday after Greek Orthodox Easter, families gather at the Church of the Transfiguration for a communal liturgy before heading to the local cemetery.

Here, the atmosphere is not one of sorrow, but of connection. Families stand by the graves of their ancestors, sharing prayers, stories, and symbolic foods such as Easter eggs and tsoureki (sweet bread) – offerings meant to honor the departed and reinforce the link between past and present.

For the Pontians, ethnic Greeks of the Black Sea coast who were persecuted and forcibly exiled from their homeland in the early 20th century, mourning is a communal act, one that celebrates the lives of their ancestors, and strengthens bonds across generations. 

Tsipouradika in Volos and Nea Ionia, Magnesia

If you’ve ever wandered through Volos or Nea Ionia in southeastern Thessaly, chances are you’ve encountered the “tsipouradika” – small taverns where locals gather over tsipouro, a strong, grape-based spirit, accompanied by an ever-changing selection of “meze” (appetizers).

But these eateries are far more than just places to eat and drink. Tsipouradika operate on a unique, unwritten set of social rules: each round of tsipouro is served with a new assortment of meze, and experienced patrons know exactly what to expect with each pour.

With a history stretching back over a century, these miniature taverns have become cornerstones of social life, where friendships are forged, business is discussed, and stories are exchanged over lively conversations and clinking glasses. 

The Lēidinos Custom of Aegina

On September 14, in the village of Kypseli on the island of Aegina, locals partake in one of Greece’s most unusual customs: the mock funeral of the harvest season. Known as “Lēidinos,” this theatrical event symbolizes the end of summer and summer labor in the fields and the arrival of the quieter winter months. 

The word “Lēidinos” refers to a light meal that farmers used to eat at dusk, a custom that was repeated from mid-March to mid-September – the period when laborers worked “as long as they could see.”

Villagers gather to stage a parody funeral of the light meal, complete with lamentations, a ceremonial burial, and a final feast featuring barley buns and kollyva – a wheat-based dish traditionally associated with mourning. But instead of grief, the event ends in jubilation, with music, dance, and feasting, embracing the cycle of renewal and change.

The Trata Dance in Perachora and Loutraki, Corinthia

During Carnival season, the towns of Perachora and Loutraki in Corinthia, northeast Peloponnese, come alive with the “Trata,” a ritual dance that folklorists believe is rooted in ancient passage rites.

Dancers form a crisscross pattern, moving rhythmically around a fire while singing “call-and-response” (antiphony) folk songs in both Greek and Arvanitic dialects. Performed in church courtyards and village squares on Clean Monday, the beginning of Lent, this dance represents community unity, renewal, and transition into the new season.

The Saint George Custom in Mitropoli, Karditsa

Every year, on Saint George’s feast day, the village of Mitropoli (Paliokastro) in Karditsa, western Thessaly, revives a nearly lost tradition. After the Divine Liturgy, local women gather in the church courtyard, forming a circle to perform “a cappella” – a song without instrumental accompaniment – dedicated to Saint George.

Sung in antiphony – where one group sings a phrase and the other responds – this sacred tradition had faded by the 1990s but was revived in 2015 by the efforts of the local Board of Directors and the women of the Cultural Association of Metropolis.