THE STONE

Volakas, from which the stone takes its name, is a remote village on the eastern flanks of the Falakron mountains in the Drama area of North Greece, close to the borders with Bulgaria. Today the name Volakas has become almost generic for a whole range of white and semi-white types of marble which are extracted from these mountains.

The wider area is sometimes termed "the Carrara of Greece" both because of the colour of the stone and because of the large volume quarrying, cutting and processing that takes place there. Other villages that lend their names to types of marble or are the focus of the local marble industry include Graniti and Pighes.

The popularity of this range of marble continues to grow at an astonishing rate and it is exported in large quantities to all parts of the world. The white backround with light grey veining corresponds with nearly everyone's perception of the most beautiful marble and it is specified by architects for many of the world's most important buildings.

 

Additionally, the very productive nature of this material allows it to be sold at competitive prices.