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Written by '''Antun Rosanovic''' of the historical event of the '''1571''' battle in which the people of the island of Korcula defended themselves against the Ottoman Empire. Originally written in [[Latin]].

Written by '''Antun Rosanovic''' of the historical event of the '''1571''' battle in which the people of the island of Korcula defended themselves against the Ottoman Empire. Originally written in [[Latin]].

== The Story ==

== The Story ==

 

Here, I feel it is proper to say something about the island. About the origin of name, about the position of the island and the city, and about our armament stocks, so it will be easier to understand what will follow. I firmly believe that from ancient times this was called Corcyra Melena or Nigra (Black Corcyra) ’it is probably because it is located similarly to the Greek island of Korfu, both of these island are stretched in East-West direction and have similar names. Or it is possibly because it appears so dark from the sea, where the forests give it black-green appearance. In this sense, there was some poetry written and it goes as follows; “ I call myself Korcula, but earlier they called me black, both of these I like. On the Adriatic, opposite the shores of Gargano you will not find an island as dark, covered with pine forests. This is because I call myself “black” and I believe that name Korcula came from that. Here we hear a new voice that a circle wall was built around the city, and that these walls are called little heart. Just to the contrary, I feel that the beautiful walls express a picture of a great heart, since in the middle of the city Saint Marko is standing. But new voice comes that the city is encircled with new walls, and so the city walls give a picture of a small heart. In opposite I respect the beautiful masonry depicting a big heart. Then in the middle of the city Saint Mark is in charge. Following the Trojan wars, Antenor a fighting soldier came here, as it is written by an author, and Dytes from Crete put the foundations to this city. Contradicting this, Plynie states that refugees from Knid established this city, which is possible, knowing that Antenor moved on to the sections of richer islands, and he left Korcula to his friends from Knid. That our city is in fact city of Antenor and his friends is witnessed by our passed on history and the inscription above the Sea gate cut in stone, in spite of ageing and weathering it is still preserved. This inscription contains the history of the ancient times. “Here the Antenor’s men laid down the foundations of Korcula, the work of great people.

In the meantime all of us were hoping for something better, we patched those holes cut into the city walls by the Rectors palace. We have positioned all of our guards on the walls, we also inspected all of these positions, and where it was needed we have strengthened them. There is really no one around except for some elderly people, be it on top of the walls or on the streets or even in the churches. Everyone was resting to be prepared on the first call to assume their duties and positions as soon as need be. Archdeacon then headed to his house, just before dawn, to get a short rest. He got less than one hour of sleep because morning bells of Matutine woke him. Here, I feel it is proper to say something about the island. About the origin of name, about the position of the island and the city, and about our armament stocks, so it will be easier to understand what will follow. I firmly believe that from ancient times this was called Corcyra Melena or Nigra (Black Corcyra) ’it is probably because it is located similarly to the Greek island of Korfu, both of these island are stretched in East-West direction and have similar names. Or it is possibly because it appears so dark from the sea, where the forests give it black-green appearance. In this sense, there was some poetry written and it goes as follows; “ I call myself Korcula, but earlier they called me black, both of these I like. On the Adriatic, opposite the shores of Gargano you will not find an island as dark, covered with pine forests. This is because I call myself “black” and I believe that name Korcula came from that. Here we hear a new voice that a circle wall was built around the city, and that these walls are called little heart. Just to the contrary, I feel that the beautiful walls express a picture of a great heart, since in the middle of the city Saint Marko is standing. But new voice comes that the city is encircled with new walls, and so the city walls give a picture of a small heart. In opposite I respect the beautiful masonry depicting a big heart. Then in the middle of the city Saint Mark is in charge. Following the Trojan wars, Antenor a fighting soldier came here, as it is written by an author, and Dytes from Crete put the foundations to this city. Contradicting this, Plynie states that refugees from Knid established this city, which is possible, knowing that Antenor moved on to the sections of richer islands, and he left Korcula to his friends from Knid. That our city is in fact city of Antenor and his friends is witnessed by our passed on history and the inscription above the Sea gate cut in stone, in spite of ageing and weathering it is still preserved. This inscription contains the history of the ancient times. “Here the Antenor’s men laid down the foundations of Korcula, the work of great people.

In the year of our Lord 1594, with the renovations of city walls, fortresses and other buildings, the city was very well fortified, during the command of Rector Antun Leoni, because of that his emblem with a lion and slanted belt was cut in the stone slabs on number of locations in the city. One of the nicest ones is found on the left side of the sea gate, this one contains following inscription; “Following the demise of Troy these walls were built by Antenor; And so that because if it’s ageing it doesn’t collapse, care was taken by Antun Leoni, who took care to return to it the original look and beauty.” Some later day authors called the island and the city; Korcula. I was not able to find out the reason for this name. The length of the island from East to West is some 300 stadijs, (which is about fifty miles) the width is not uniform, at the widest it is about 90 stadiji. And at the narrowest is only 40 stadiji. The height is up to 70. The mountainous part is unproductive and dry. The island is adaptable to planting of vineyards, and also for pastures, but it excels with it’s forests. Through the middle of the island we find a number of mountainous hills, which on the ends descend to small hills. The coast is curvy with many bays and coves, with many unsafe harbours, but it has a number of large bays where boats can take refuge in bad weather, on all sides. Eastern point of the island is called Raznjic, because looking like a tongue is extended from width of 8 to a thousand steps. The West end is separated into two forks. The largest one of Saint Ivan of Gradina which takes 50 stadiji. Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from Vella Grande (modern:Vela Luka) the most 300 stadiji away in the Great Field of village of Blato, in which there is a large amount of fresh water, where at certain times, it turns into a mud field, therefore the name Blato in translation means mud, and this is where the name comes from. Quite often sometimes two or three and as much as seven years that this water does not dry out, but when the water does go away, this field about 1500 feet long becomes very fertile. When it is cultivated, anything planted produces one hundred percent. This field belongs to a certain number of families, and every seven years it is divided according to a Hungarian custom, and is given to each head of the family. Women also receive ownership as long as they remain unmarried, but as soon as they marry they loose that right, also when entering into a family that has no right to this ownership. This right she cannot obtain by receiving a dowry or through inheritance, or in any other way. She even has no right to leave these families. Those who receive this land have right to only two parcels, which are called in Croatian “Stupi”; one piece in a less productive section, and other on the more productive location. All of the parcels are of the same size, except some are a little larger, which are given to surveyors. There is six surveyors; three form the city and other three from the village. And this job is assigned to certain families, and cannot be passed to others. Size of the parcel is given according to the number of members in the family. In this field grows some king of greasy grass, on which animals like to graze.Then from it, their stomachs blow up than they die. The meat from these animals cannot be used for eating, as well as the hide cannot be used for leather, this resembles something similar to leprosy. It is said that if all of this field was cultivated, that it can feed not only the field workers and islanders but also the people on the neighbouring islands. Experts insist that the level of the field is below the sea level, that if a channel was excavated between the hills which divide this field from the sea, it cannot be drained into the sea. But you cannot excuse the negligence of the people. Regardless of flooding the field is not being worked on, or cultivated, except for a small part at the Eastern end that is most productive. The island with it’s surrounding small islands produces plenty of wine, wood, fish as much as is possible. Two trades dominate, these are stonecutting and shipbuilding.

In the year of our Lord 1594, with the renovations of city walls, fortresses and other buildings, the city was very well fortified, during the command of Rector Antun Leoni, because of that his emblem with a lion and slanted belt was cut in the stone slabs on number of locations in the city. One of the nicest ones is found on the left side of the sea gate, this one contains following inscription; “Following the demise of Troy these walls were built by Antenor; And so that because if it’s ageing it doesn’t collapse, care was taken by Antun Leoni, who took care to return to it the original look and beauty.” Some later day authors called the island and the city; Korcula. I was not able to find out the reason for this name. The length of the island from East to West is some 300 stadijs, (which is about fifty miles) the width is not uniform, at the widest it is about 90 stadiji. And at the narrowest is only 40 stadiji. The height is up to 70. The mountainous part is unproductive and dry. The island is adaptable to planting of vineyards, and also for pastures, but it excels with it’s forests. Through the middle of the island we find a number of mountainous hills, which on the ends descend to small hills. The coast is curvy with many bays and coves, with many unsafe harbours, but it has a number of large bays where boats can take refuge in bad weather, on all sides. Eastern point of the island is called Raznjic, because looking like a tongue is extended from width of 8 to a thousand steps. The West end is separated into two forks. The largest one of Saint Ivan of Gradina which takes 50 stadiji. Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from Vella Grande (modern:Vela Luka) the most 300 stadiji away in the Great Field of village of Blato, in which there is a large amount of fresh water, where at certain times, it turns into a mud field, therefore the name Blato in translation means mud, and this is where the name comes from. Quite often sometimes two or three and as much as seven years that this water does not dry out, but when the water does go away, this field about 1500 feet long becomes very fertile. When it is cultivated, anything planted produces one hundred percent. This field belongs to a certain number of families, and every seven years it is divided according to a Hungarian custom, and is given to each head of the family. Women also receive ownership as long as they remain unmarried, but as soon as they marry they loose that right, also when entering into a family that has no right to this ownership. This right she cannot obtain by receiving a dowry or through inheritance, or in any other way. She even has no right to leave these families. Those who receive this land have right to only two parcels, which are called in Croatian “Stupi”; one piece in a less productive section, and other on the more productive location. All of the parcels are of the same size, except some are a little larger, which are given to surveyors. There is six surveyors; three form the city and other three from the village. And this job is assigned to certain families, and cannot be passed to others. Size of the parcel is given according to the number of members in the family. In this field grows some king of greasy grass, on which animals like to graze.Then from it, their stomachs blow up than they die. The meat from these animals cannot be used for eating, as well as the hide cannot be used for leather, this resembles something similar to leprosy. It is said that if all of this field was cultivated, that it can feed not only the field workers and islanders but also the people on the neighbouring islands. Experts insist that the level of the field is below the sea level, that if a channel was excavated between the hills which divide this field from the sea, it cannot be drained into the sea. But you cannot excuse the negligence of the people. Regardless of flooding the field is not being worked on, or cultivated, except for a small part at the Eastern end that is most productive. The island with it’s surrounding small islands produces plenty of wine, wood, fish as much as is possible. Two trades dominate, these are stonecutting and shipbuilding.