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On the insistence from those who were impressed with this successful defence of the city, my hometown, obviously with God’s help, wishing to describe this glorious happening, I have decided to satisfy that demand with this commentary. But you heavenly mother, who in those terrible moments we strongly believe that you definitely came to our help; when you then, to me, your undeserving servant, with your inspiration, guided us, please do the same now and guide me while describing this glory as well as our thankfulness, please guide my hand and my pen along the path to the truth.  

On the insistence from those who were impressed with this successful defence of the city, my hometown, obviously with God’s help, wishing to describe this glorious happening, I have decided to satisfy that demand with this commentary. But you heavenly mother, who in those terrible moments we strongly believe that you definitely came to our help; when you then, to me, your undeserving servant, with your inspiration, guided us, please do the same now and guide me while describing this glory as well as our thankfulness, please guide my hand and my pen along the path to the truth.  

SELIM, the tricky '''Ottoman''' Turkish emperor conducting a fierce war, has taken from Venice almost all of the island of Cyprus except for Famagusta. Confident with these successes , at the beginning of May he orders gathering of a large fleet to go against Christians, and especially against Venetians. Over here, rumours spread about this armada, and fear among people multiplied, that Turks are already approaching our borders and each day they are supposed to be getting more and more aggressive.  

SELIM, the tricky '''Ottoman''' Turkish emperor conducting a fierce war, has taken from the ''Republic of Venice'' almost all of the island of Cyprus except for Famagusta. Confident with these successes , at the beginning of May he orders gathering of a large fleet to go against Christians, and especially against Venetians. Over here, rumours spread about this armada, and fear among people multiplied, that Turks are already approaching our borders and each day they are supposed to be getting more and more aggressive.  

On second day of August, unexpectedly a group of refugees sailed in, those that we called ''Uskoci'' , they came from Epir and they confessed to us that Ulcinj which is about 80 miles south east of here, is in danger from land forces, and that on the sea they have seen many galleys near Ulcinj, and that they had hard time getting away from them. They were not sure who these galleys belonged to, but they suspected that these must belong to pirate Karalcozije and his cohorts. Next day another group arrived from Perasto (Perasto is a town in Bay of Boca) and they confirmed the news about the Turkish fleet all around Ulcinj. And they told us how they were forced to abandon their boat and they barely survived by getting away in a dinghy. Actually this story we did not believe. What was hard to believe was that enemy’s ships have reached that far into our waters, knowing that christian navy was behind their backs. We didn’t know what to think. We were scared, everyone talked about what was to come, but no one knew for sure. People from Perasto (modern: Perast), ones that happened to be in our town, because of these rumours, all to the last one, boarded their boats and left the town. A word came from Epidaur, that Bar already capitulated, and that Cattaro (modern: Kotor) is in great danger of falling, also that danger is looming to all of '''Dalmatia'''.  

On second day of August, unexpectedly a group of refugees sailed in, those that we called ''Uskoci'' , they came from Epir and they confessed to us that Ulcinj which is about 80 miles south east of here, is in danger from land forces, and that on the sea they have seen many galleys near Ulcinj, and that they had hard time getting away from them. They were not sure who these galleys belonged to, but they suspected that these must belong to pirate Karalcozije and his cohorts. Next day another group arrived from Perasto (Perasto is a town in Bay of Boca) and they confirmed the news about the Turkish fleet all around Ulcinj. And they told us how they were forced to abandon their boat and they barely survived by getting away in a dinghy. Actually this story we did not believe. What was hard to believe was that enemy’s ships have reached that far into our waters, knowing that christian navy was behind their backs. We didn’t know what to think. We were scared, everyone talked about what was to come, but no one knew for sure. People from Perasto (modern: Perast), ones that happened to be in our town, because of these rumours, all to the last one, boarded their boats and left the town. A word came from Epidaur, that Bar already capitulated, and that Cattaro (modern: Kotor) is in great danger of falling, also that danger is looming to all of '''Dalmatia'''.  

In Curzola (modern: Korcula) there exists a place of worship, right next to Southern City walls which our ancestors dedicated to Virgin Mary and Saint Bartholomew in memory of past victory, in battle with  

In Curzola (modern: Korčula) there exists a place of worship, right next to Southern City walls which our ancestors dedicated to Virgin Mary and Saint Bartholomew in memory of past victory, in battle with  

[[Directory:Korcula History#Giorgio Viario|Aragon Navy]], on this Saints day. This chapel is hardly able to accommodate two or three persons. All around it is protected with wooden fencing. Here, every year on 4th of August, early in the morning, people gather all around, to show respect to our Lady of Snows. During this service the city’s rector suggested to bishop’s vicar this idea that it would be helpful to preach something that would pacify and calm down frightened public. Vicar passed this idea to another priest, but this one also excused himself, that he is not prepared. Then he, while asking for God’s help opens the book of psalms, which he was holding in his hands, then he started reading words from 61st psalm ''“ These two things I hear: The power is God’s, and to you Lord belongs the mercy.”'' During the service with these thoughts he began to talk.'' “ Hear you respected husbands, fathers, brothers and sons, all dear in Christ, as I spoke You have heard, now by me spoken David’s thought. Think about it, I beg you, from it double powerful Gods power, from which one is a witness how to almighty God nothing is impossible, while the other shows his mercy towards us, so that; no one of us loves himself more than the love we receive from merciful God."''  

[[Directory:Korcula History#Giorgio Viario|Aragon Navy]], on this Saints day. This chapel is hardly able to accommodate two or three persons. All around it is protected with wooden fencing. Here, every year on 4th of August, early in the morning, people gather all around, to show respect to our Lady of Snows. During this service the city’s rector suggested to bishop’s vicar this idea that it would be helpful to preach something that would pacify and calm down frightened public. Vicar passed this idea to another priest, but this one also excused himself, that he is not prepared. Then he, while asking for God’s help opens the book of psalms, which he was holding in his hands, then he started reading words from 61st psalm ''“ These two things I hear: The power is God’s, and to you Lord belongs the mercy.”'' During the service with these thoughts he began to talk.'' “ Hear you respected husbands, fathers, brothers and sons, all dear in Christ, as I spoke You have heard, now by me spoken David’s thought. Think about it, I beg you, from it double powerful Gods power, from which one is a witness how to almighty God nothing is impossible, while the other shows his mercy towards us, so that; no one of us loves himself more than the love we receive from merciful God."''  

[[File:Curzola of old.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Town of Korcula (Curzola-1708)]]

[[File:Curzola of old.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Town of Korcula (Curzola-1708)]]

Lesina (town on the next island some 25 miles to the North West, modern: Hvar), day after, they made it to Zara (modern:Zadar), since they were followed by favourable winds. People in Zadar being surprised seeing so many of our and Hvar's sails, got also worried that the enemy was coming towards them. Back home, we kept watch by day and by night, we were managing without anyone’s help. Sadly, even our neighbours cut all contacts with us, like if we had some kind of disease spreading, or like a curse was put on us from the sea and fire. This lasted for some twenty days. Only occasionally, from the opposite shore, secretly a small row boat would arrive with some letters and news. Then it was announced on the August 9th in the bay of Zuljana (about 8 miles to the East), that there are seven small galleys, they took prisoner priest Franjo Ordonicic with some other travellers who were heading for Dubrovnik. Zuljana is a small village on the South shore of Peljesac peninsula, opposite island of Mljet. Following night these Hercegovinians were sailing close to our island along the Southern shore to the outside.In the quietness of the night they landed close to Blatta (modern: Blato), in a bay called Grscica, then early next morning three platoons of pirates coming from the South reached the village of Blato, up to that point not being noticed; until a scream of a sentry signified coming of the enemy. Even though the sentries on the whole island were notified of the coming of Herzegovinian to Zuljana on the opposite coast, fell asleep without noticing their coming. When they noticed the enemy coming, they turned their backs and ran away into the darkness of the forest. They were wrong in falling asleep, but were very good at screaming. At this noise, anyone who heard it, ran away in all directions. The bandits set their positions as follows; first one stopped at the hill in three platoons of men arranged their position in the direction from where they came, second one was already at work, stealing and plundering of nearby homes while the third one reached the centre of the village with full battle gear, as a security force to protect the stealers and robbers.

Lesina (town on the next island some 25 miles to the North West, modern: Hvar), day after, they made it to Zara (modern:Zadar), since they were followed by favourable winds. People in Zadar being surprised seeing so many of our and Hvar's sails, got also worried that the enemy was coming towards them. Back home, we kept watch by day and by night, we were managing without anyone’s help. Sadly, even our neighbours cut all contacts with us, like if we had some kind of disease spreading, or like a curse was put on us from the sea and fire. This lasted for some twenty days. Only occasionally, from the opposite shore, secretly a small row boat would arrive with some letters and news. Then it was announced on the August 9th in the bay of Zuljana (about 8 miles to the East), that there are seven small galleys, they took prisoner priest Franjo Ordonicic with some other travellers who were heading for Dubrovnik. Zuljana is a small village on the South shore of Peljesac peninsula, opposite island of Mljet. Following night these Hercegovinians were sailing close to our island along the Southern shore to the outside.In the quietness of the night they landed close to Blatta (modern: Blato), in a bay called Grscica, then early next morning three platoons of pirates coming from the South reached the village of Blato, up to that point not being noticed; until a scream of a sentry signified coming of the enemy. Even though the sentries on the whole island were notified of the coming of Herzegovinian to Zuljana on the opposite coast, fell asleep without noticing their coming. When they noticed the enemy coming, they turned their backs and ran away into the darkness of the forest. They were wrong in falling asleep, but were very good at screaming. At this noise, anyone who heard it, ran away in all directions. The bandits set their positions as follows; first one stopped at the hill in three platoons of men arranged their position in the direction from where they came, second one was already at work, stealing and plundering of nearby homes while the third one reached the centre of the village with full battle gear, as a security force to protect the stealers and robbers.

Blato is the largest village on the island, which can in need produce about 300 selected defensive fighters. One part of that force then was called to Korcula to help with the defence of the city, another group was forced to go in service on Venetian galleys, while the rest was hiding in the forests leaving homes unprotected. As a result, these bandits succeeded in robbing the whole village and taking about 50 people as prisoners. These were all children and women, with the exception of Simon Simonetti and another three old people, with one of them being completely blind. Three ladies, they let go, then they also released three wounded men, another man named Pelegrin Krsinic hid on top of a tall almond tree, he was wounded with arrows, but anyway survived. Nikola Kastropil, was taken prisoner inside his house, was able to escape swinging the chains where he wounded three of the enemy, himself was lightly wounded. Third man Ivan Barcot, who survived by running away, while running he heard screams from his mother, then looking in the direction of the scream, he could see where the enemy soldier was dragging her by her uncombed hair. Thinking of his motherly love, he charged toward the enemy, then kills four of them, frees his mother from the chains and helps her escape to a nearby forest. And while he was fighting with one enemy, more of them were coming toward him, not being able to free his spear tangled up in enemies clothing, he was then wounded, after two days he died of these wounds. It was with luck what he accomplished, heroically saving his saddened mother. There was a report that enemy accomplished two human deeds. First because they saved life of Peter Petric and his wife, where they laid in the bed In extreme poverty, unable to move. This man was brother of priest Ivan, who was in service of church in Padova, and his father Ivan Petric was employed as a secretary to Ferata Gonzaga of Milano. Another one of the enemy also showed good deed by taking an 8 days old baby and quietly handed it over to the relatives to take the baby to the mother. When the word spread in Korcula of what has happened in Blato, people were taken by general sadness. Then they were all confused, namely all of the people from villages decided to leave with the excuse to check on their families left behind, and to find out what if anything was left saved after the enemy departed. Then appeared some holy man who was supposed to foresee the future, he was carrying a gun, had a sword and a spear, he definitely seemed not to be all there mentally, saying that his only calling was to criticise the public.

Blato is the largest village on the island, which can in need produce about 300 selected defensive fighters. One part of that force then was called to Korcula to help with the defence of the city, another group was forced to go in service on Venetian galleys, while the rest was hiding in the forests leaving homes unprotected. As a result, these bandits succeeded in robbing the whole village and taking about 50 people as prisoners. These were all children and women, with the exception of Simon Simonetti and another three old people, with one of them being completely blind. Three ladies, they let go, then they also released three wounded men, another man named Pelegrin Krsinic hid on top of a tall almond tree, he was wounded with arrows, but anyway survived. Nikola Kastropil, was taken prisoner inside his house, was able to escape swinging the chains where he wounded three of the enemy, himself was lightly wounded. Third man Ivan Barcot, who survived by running away, while running he heard screams from his mother, then looking in the direction of the scream, he could see where the enemy soldier was dragging her by her uncombed hair. Thinking of his motherly love, he charged toward the enemy, then kills four of them, frees his mother from the chains and helps her escape to a nearby forest. And while he was fighting with one enemy, more of them were coming toward him, not being able to free his spear tangled up in enemies clothing, he was then wounded, after two days he died of these wounds. It was with luck what he accomplished, heroically saving his saddened mother. There was a report that enemy accomplished two human deeds. First because they saved life of Peter Petric and his wife, where they laid in the bed In extreme poverty, unable to move. This man was brother of priest Ivan, who was in service of church in Padova, and his father Ivan Petric was employed as a secretary to Ferata Gonzaga of Milano. Another one of the enemy also showed good deed by taking an 8 days old baby and quietly handed it over to the relatives to take the baby to the mother. When the word spread in Korčula of what has happened in Blato, people were taken by general sadness. Then they were all confused, namely all of the people from villages decided to leave with the excuse to check on their families left behind, and to find out what if anything was left saved after the enemy departed. Then appeared some holy man who was supposed to foresee the future, he was carrying a gun, had a sword and a spear, he definitely seemed not to be all there mentally, saying that his only calling was to criticise the public.

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