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| Some later day authors called the island and the city; 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 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 harbors, 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. | | Some later day authors called the island and the city; 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 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 harbors, 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. |
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− | Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from Vela Luka [Vallagrande, Latin: vallem maximam] the most 300 stadiji away in the Great Field of village of Blato [Blatta], in which there is a large amount of fresh water, where at certain times, it turns into a mud field, therefore the name Blato [Etymology from a Slavic word for “mud; swamp”; compare Old Church Slavonic, Latin: Blattens] 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. | + | Rain takes care of the water needs. But still not far from Vela Luka [Vallagrande, Latin: vallem maximam] the most 300 stadiji away in the Great Field of village of Blato [Blatta], in which there is a large amount of fresh water, where at certain times, it turns into a mud field, therefore the name Blato ['''Etymology''' from a Slavic word for “mud; swamp”; compare Old Church Slavonic, Latin: Blattens] 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. |
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| 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 the marry they loose that right, also when entering into a family that has no right to this ownership. This right she can not 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 ['''original''' written Latin: ''Blatto, enim ilirica lingua'' ] “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 can not be passed to others. Size of the parcel is given according to the number of members in the family. | | 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 the marry they loose that right, also when entering into a family that has no right to this ownership. This right she can not 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 ['''original''' written Latin: ''Blatto, enim ilirica lingua'' ] “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 can not be passed to others. Size of the parcel is given according to the number of members in the family. |
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| 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 neighboring 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 can not be drained into the sea. But you can not 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. | | 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 neighboring 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 can not be drained into the sea. But you can not 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. |
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− | This island lies in the Ilirik opposite coast of Monte Gargano, 100,000 steps in distance across the sea. To the East there is island of Mljet, South is Lastovo with surrounding small islands. To the West some sixty stadiji is Vis, North of us is 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 Pelješac [Pelisac], which Ptolomey called Eneys mountains. Reaching the delta of river Neretva extending over Dubrovnik’s [Ragusa] islands, to the right and all the way up to Hvar to the left. At the junction with the mainland it makes connection only four stadijs wide, where the ancient town of Ston was established. From that point you can see city of Dubrovnik [Ragusa] as well as Hvar and Brac to the West. | + | This island lies in the Ilirik opposite coast of Monte Gargano, 100,000 steps in distance across the sea. To the East there is island of Mljet [Melenae], South is Lastovo [Augusta, Lagosta] with surrounding small islands. To the West some sixty stadiji is Vis, North of us is 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 Pelješac [Pelisac], which Ptolomey called Eneys mountains. Reaching the delta of river Neretva extending over Dubrovnik’s [Ragusa] islands, to the right and all the way up to Hvar to the left. At the junction with the mainland it makes connection only four stadijs wide, where the ancient town of Ston was established. From that point you can see city of Dubrovnik [Ragusa] as well as Hvar [Pharum, Lesina] and Brac [Brachiam] to the West. |
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− | Island of Korčula by it’s positioning creates two sea-channels; first to the East with Mljet and Lastovo, which extends for the entire length of the island, some 160 stadiji wide, The other channel is created between it and peninsula of Pelješac [Pelisac], which is about 76 stadiji 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 channel is without any islands, but Korčula on both ends has many small islands close to it’s shore, with many shallow rocky reefs, where it is dangerous for navigation. | + | Island of Korčula by it’s positioning creates two sea-channels; first to the East with Mljet [Melenae] and Lastovo [Augusta], which extends for the entire length of the island, some 160 stadiji wide, The other channel is created between it and peninsula of Pelješac [Pelisac], which is about 76 stadiji 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 channel is without any islands, but Korčula on both ends has many small islands close to it’s shore, with many shallow rocky reefs, where it is dangerous for navigation. |
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| The city was built some 50 stadijis distanced from the entrance to either channel, it points to the highest peak on the opposite mountainous peninsula of Pelješac [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 center 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. | | The city was built some 50 stadijis distanced from the entrance to either channel, it points to the highest peak on the opposite mountainous peninsula of Pelješac [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 center 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. |