The document discusses the origins of the Bulgari family. The family originated from a small Greek village in Epirus, a region known for its historical and mythological traditions. The Bulgari ancestors, known then as Boulgaris, were silversmiths in the village of Kallarrytes in the early 19th century, with their craft being passed down from father to son since Byzantine times. One silversmith, Georgis Bulgari, traveled throughout Epirus and Albania selling his crafts. On one trip he met his wife Eleni in Paramythia, where he opened a small shop and settled down. Their son, Sotirios I Bulgari, born in

1. 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
I.
Ad~tjwrrent,
/9705.
(lllmjplS), born on 18 March 1857, the founder of the Bulgari firm.
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