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THE HISTORY OF BVLGARI

The Origins of the Family

The origins of the Bulgari family are to be found in a small Greek

village situated in the Pindhos mountain range in Epirus, not far

from the Albanian border. This is a region rich in historical and

mythical traditions, cited by ancient poets and historians such as

Homer and Thucydides. It is the land of the river Acheron - entrance

to Hades - and of the famous sanctuary of Dodona, sacred to Zeus.

The family's early history - they were then known as Boulgaris

(Bou),:)'ap1Js) - and their presence in the village of Kallarrytes

(KaAAapUTES) date back to the early part of 19th century. These facts

are recorded in a document written by Costantino Bulgari on the

basis of his father's memories (entitled Memorie di Famiglia

Raccontate dalla Viva Voce del Papil Sotirio dallsicl Figlio Costantino

e qui Appresso Trascritte con la Maggiore Fedelta e Precisione Possibile).

Kallarrytes' economy was based largely on stock farming. However, it

also counted among its inhabitants skilled metalworkers whose craft

had been handed down by father to son since Byzantine times. In

particular, the silversmiths of Kallarrytes were famous throughout

Epirus for their production - reminiscent in style of Byzantine

artefacts - of belts, buckles, buttons, earrings, sword sheaths and

cartridge belts worked in debased silver.

The Bulgari ancestors were among the silversmiths of Kallarrytes.

There is little information on Constantinos and his son Georgis

(1823-1889). The latter, a skilled silversmith, used to travel Albania

and Epirus to sell his crafts. On one such trip he met and married

Eleni Strougaris (b. 1833) at Paramythia where he settled, opening a

small shop. They had eleven children but only one survived: Sotirios

(lllmjplS), born on 18 March 1857, the founder of the Bulgari firm.

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