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“Here the Antenor’s men laid down the foundations of Corcyra, the work of great people.''}}

“Here the Antenor’s men laid down the foundations of Corcyra, 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:

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''' (Latini: Antonio Leone Praetore), 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:

{{quote|

{{quote|

"Following the demise of Troy these walls were built by Antenor"}}

"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; '''Curzola''' (editors note: the name of the island at the time when this work was written, modern: Korčula). I was not able to find out the reason for this name. The length of the island from east to west is some 300 stadia, (which is about fifty miles) the width is not uniform, at the widest it is about 90 stadia (stade, is an ancient Greek unit of length). And at the narrowest is only 40 stadia. 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 stadia. Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from '''Vallegrande''' (modern: Vela Luka) the most 300 stadia away in the Great Field of village of '''Blatta''' (modern: 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 (Blatta) 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, 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.

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; '''Curzola''' (editors note: the name of the island at the time when this work was written, modern: Korčula). I was not able to find out the reason for this name. The length of the island from east to west is some 300 stadia, (which is about fifty miles) the width is not uniform, at the widest it is about 90 stadia (stade, is an ancient Greek unit of length). And at the narrowest is only 40 stadia. 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 stadia. Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from '''Vallegrande''' (modern: Vela Luka, Latin: valle maxima) the most 300 stadia away in the Great Field of village of '''Blatta''' (modern: 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 (Blatta) 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, 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.

[[File:Venetian galley at Curzola-engraving.jpg|thumb|right|375px|A 19th century engraving of a Venetian galley fighting a Genoese fleet at the battle of Curzola in 1298. The Granger Collection-England]]

[[File:Venetian galley at Curzola-engraving.jpg|thumb|right|375px|A 19th century engraving of a Venetian galley fighting a Genoese fleet at the battle of Curzola in 1298. The Granger Collection-England]]

This island lies in Illyricum <ref>Illyricum was a Roman province that existed between 167 BC and 10 AD, named after conquered Illyria, stretching from the Drin river (in modern north Albania) to Istria (Istra, Croatia) in the west and to the Sava river (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the North. Salona (near modern Split in Croatia) functioned as its capital. The province was then divided into Pannonia in the North and Dalmatia in the South. (ref from Wikipedia)</ref> opposite the coast of Monte Gargano,<ref>Gargano is a historical and geographical Italian sub-region situated in Apulia, consisting of a wide isolated mountain massif made of highland and several peaks and forming the backbone of the Gargano Promontory projecting into the Adriatic Sea. (ref from Wikipedia)</ref>100,000 steps in distance across the sea. To the East there is island of Meleda (modern: Mljet), South is '''Lagosta''' (modern: Lastovo) with surrounding small islands. To the West some sixty stadia  is''' Lissa''' (modern:Vis), North of us is '''Lesina''' (modern: Hvar) at distance of 30,000 steps, at the closest point. To the North is also bay of Neretva and along it an extended peninsula of Pelisac (modern Croatian: Pelješac), which Ptolomey called Eneys mountains. Reaching the delta of river Neretva extending over '''Ragusan's''' islands (modern: Dubrovnik), to the right and all the way up to Hvar (Lesina) to the left. At the junction with the mainland it makes connection only four stadia wide, where the ancient town of Stagno (modern: Ston) was established. From that point you can see city of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) as well as Hvar (Lesina) and Brazza (modern: Brač) to the West. Island of Korčula by it’s positioning creates two sea-channels; first to the East with  Mljet (Meleda) and Lastovo (Lagosta), which extends for the entire length of the island, some 160 stadia wide, The other channel is created between it and peninsula of Pelisac, which is about 76 stadias wide. This varies in length , but that one does not go more than 18 thousand reaches, and this one a little over 12. Korčula extends for this length until it is even with Hvar (Lesina) on the opposite shore. Mljet (Meleda) channel is without any islands, but Korčula on both ends has many small islands close to its shore, with many shallow rocky reefs, where it is dangerous for navigation. The city was built some 50 stadias distanced from the entrance to either channel, it points to the highest peak on the opposite mountainous peninsula of Pelisac, the city was erected on a relatively steep hill surrounded with fortified walls in circular shape, with seashore almost all around, except for the portion of South side where it is connected to the main island with and arched bridge, and a ditch under it. Buildings in the city are constructed of good quality white stone. The Cathedral with the bell tower is located in the centre of the city. Because of the slope in the terrain, the Cathedral extends in height above other buildings, giving those who approach the city a beautiful scene. In front of the Cathedral, in the middle of the city, there is a nicely tiled stone square. All of the city streets radiate from this square, in even order. This reminds as of the verses of a complimenting poet;'' “A circle with centre surrounded all over with tight order of streets; this is picture of Korčula.”''. Korčula gives Dalmatia not a small glory, when it is attacked the Venetian fathers carefully are guarding it. Exactly at this time, the city was well supplied with ammunition and other armament for defence, this was provided by Republic of Venice, by its great Rector Peter Bragadin. He sent to Venice a delegation of ten, led by '''Rafael Gabrielis''', who brought in many guns, spears, bow and arrows, six canons that could shoot balls of 20 pounds. When the war started, again Filip Rosanovic was sent and he brought back more explosives and other ammunition. From before, in the city we had armament of steel, and especially so called popes cannon, which was capable of firing balls of 30 pounds. In the armoury, there was also a large stock of other assorted armaments. Fortified walls as they were already old and aged, needed to be renovated. Our biggest fear was a small number of defenders. But, enough of all of this. Let us return to our story.

This island lies in Illyricum <ref>Illyricum was a Roman province that existed between 167 BC and 10 AD, named after conquered Illyria, stretching from the Drin river (in modern north Albania) to Istria (Istra, Croatia) in the west and to the Sava river (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the North. Salona (near modern Split in Croatia) functioned as its capital. The province was then divided into Pannonia in the North and Dalmatia in the South. (ref from Wikipedia)</ref> opposite the coast of Monte Gargano,<ref>Gargano is a historical and geographical Italian sub-region situated in Apulia, consisting of a wide isolated mountain massif made of highland and several peaks and forming the backbone of the Gargano Promontory projecting into the Adriatic Sea. (ref from Wikipedia)</ref>100,000 steps in distance across the sea. To the East there is island of Meleda (modern: Mljet), South is '''Lagosta''' (modern: Lastovo) with surrounding small islands. To the West some sixty stadia  is''' Lissa''' (modern:Vis), North of us is '''Lesina''' (modern: Hvar) at distance of 30,000 steps, at the closest point. To the North is also bay of Neretva and along it an extended peninsula of Pelisac (modern Croatian: Pelješac), which Ptolomey called Eneys mountains. Reaching the delta of river Neretva extending over '''Ragusan's''' islands (modern: Dubrovnik), to the right and all the way up to Hvar (Lesina) to the left. At the junction with the mainland it makes connection only four stadia wide, where the ancient town of Stagno (modern: Ston) was established. From that point you can see city of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) as well as Hvar (Lesina) and Brazza (modern: Brač) to the West. Island of Korčula by it’s positioning creates two sea-channels; first to the East with  Mljet (Meleda) and Lastovo (Lagosta), which extends for the entire length of the island, some 160 stadia wide, The other channel is created between it and peninsula of Pelisac, which is about 76 stadias wide. This varies in length , but that one does not go more than 18 thousand reaches, and this one a little over 12. Korčula extends for this length until it is even with Hvar (Lesina) on the opposite shore. Mljet (Meleda) channel is without any islands, but Korčula on both ends has many small islands close to its shore, with many shallow rocky reefs, where it is dangerous for navigation. The city was built some 50 stadias distanced from the entrance to either channel, it points to the highest peak on the opposite mountainous peninsula of Pelisac, the city was erected on a relatively steep hill surrounded with fortified walls in circular shape, with seashore almost all around, except for the portion of South side where it is connected to the main island with and arched bridge, and a ditch under it. Buildings in the city are constructed of good quality white stone. The Cathedral with the bell tower is located in the centre of the city. Because of the slope in the terrain, the Cathedral extends in height above other buildings, giving those who approach the city a beautiful scene. In front of the Cathedral, in the middle of the city, there is a nicely tiled stone square. All of the city streets radiate from this square, in even order. This reminds as of the verses of a complimenting poet;'' “A circle with centre surrounded all over with tight order of streets; this is picture of Korčula.”''. Korčula gives Dalmatia not a small glory, when it is attacked the Venetian fathers carefully are guarding it. Exactly at this time, the city was well supplied with ammunition and other armament for defence, this was provided by Republic of Venice, by its great Rector Peter Bragadin. He sent to Venice a delegation of ten, led by '''Rafael Gabrielis''', who brought in many guns, spears, bow and arrows, six canons that could shoot balls of 20 pounds. When the war started, again Filip Rosanovic was sent and he brought back more explosives and other ammunition. From before, in the city we had armament of steel, and especially so called popes cannon, which was capable of firing balls of 30 pounds. In the armoury, there was also a large stock of other assorted armaments. Fortified walls as they were already old and aged, needed to be renovated. Our biggest fear was a small number of defenders. But, enough of all of this. Let us return to our story.