Bulgari Family Visits Their Ancestral Village in Greece

The Bulgari family visited their ancestral village of Paramythia in Epirus, where the world-famous jewelry house made its first steps in 1870.

Nicola Bulgari, grandson of Sotirios Bulgari, who founded the luxury brand (Bvlgari), visited the memorial sites of his ancestors along with younger family members.

The visit was of great significance as they explored the building, currently under renovation, donated by the Bulgari family. This building, along with the first workshop and goldsmith shop of Sotirios Voulgaris, stood as a testament to the family’s enduring legacy.

Family members were captivated by the transformation of the space into an Art, Education, and Culture Center, a project they pledged to contribute to, as it aims to honor the city’s patrons.

During the visit, the Mayor of Souli, Yiannis Karagiannis, President of the Regional Council, Stavroula Braimi, and Deputy Mayor of Technical Services, Fanis Bellogia, provided insights into the ongoing conversion and the Center’s mission.

Στην Ελλάδα η οικογένεια Bvlgari | Η επίσκεψη στη γενέτειρά τους και το σημείο από όπου ξεκίνησε η αυτοκρατορία https://t.co/VQvmzceOs2

— Harper's Bazaar Greece (@HarpersBazaargr) August 14, 2023

The family also paid their respects at the church of Panagia and the monument dedicated to the forty-nine martyrs.

As reported, Nicola and the family conveyed their enthusiasm for restoration efforts at the former primary school. They underlined their readiness to actively support the project’s realization. Further discussions with the relevant technical services are anticipated, with the Municipality of Souli spearheading the coordination.

The Bulgari family has ended their visit with a meal at a tavern on the banks of the Acheron River.

Bulgari family and brand story

Sotirios Voulgaris was born in 1857 in the Greek region of Epirus. He was one of eleven children and traveled to Italy in 1880 in search of a brighter future with minimal and quite modest resources. His innate talent for working with precious metals and stones paved the way for profitable ventures before he opened his own jewelry store in 1884.

At the dawn of its existence, Bulgari established itself with silver items inspired by the artistic heritage of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Byzantium. Through dedication and creative expression, Voulgaris laid the foundation for a distinctive brand style marked by impeccable craftsmanship and cultural influences.

After the death of Sotirios in 1932, his sons, Giorgio and Costantino, took over the reins of power, shaping the modern Bulgari identity. The brand has attracted famous personalities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman, and Gina Lollobrigida. Amid decades of success, the brand has achieved stunning growth and established itself as a symbol of luxury and innovation.

In 2017, the brand’s state-of-the-art jewelry manufacturing headquarters emerged in Valenza, Italy, spanning fourteen thousand square meters.

Today, this huge international chain, also known as BVLGARI, is world-famous for its high-quality jewelry, watches, perfumes, accessories, and leather goods.