Directory:Korcula History

• Historical Compendium of the Island of Korcula by Nikola Ostojic.

(Originally written in Italian. Printing Company of G. Woditzka - Zadar 1858.)

Nikola Ostojic (1803-1869) author of Historical Compendium of the Island of Korcula ("Compendio Storico dell Isola di Curzola").

Town of Korcula

Chapter One - Origin and Events

Some fathers of history took notice of the writings of Ditte who was a contemporary from Cretan. When writing about the war of Troy, he noted that Antenore was the first to land on the island and build a city. Because of the islands dark appearance of its woods it was called Corcira Melaena (Latin: Corcyra Nigra - Black Corcyra). Other followers of his position claim that they were not exiles of Ilius, but fugitives of Gnido. In turn the vernacularisation of Ditte (work of Cav) Compagnoni, stated that Antenore remained in Greece, but the said Aeneas, was the likely leader of the colony and founder of the City of Curzola, (Korcula's old name was Curzola). This theory was competing with the opinion of Darete, Phrygian and other contemporaries.

The truth of this claim, considering the mythological chronology of the grammatical Alexandrian Heratostene, would oblige us to go back to approximately 1184 BC, at the time in which according to the Bible, Gideon judged Israel: 126 years prior to David coming to the throne. But the historian, more traditional than anything else, cannot rely on these vague claims. Yet least of all when facing criticism. Ditte and Darete did not know how to support their historical theory. Whether Antenore or Aeneas was the leader, or Gnidi or the Trojans the colonists, the study of local antiquities arouses a belief that Korčula in ancient times was not some Greco-Phoenician post. Even though during this period there are inferences which are not at all unfounded, none are of a particular positive nature.

The mystery clears then when the Illyrians become powerful lords of the Adriatic. Their king Agron, asserting his authority on the other neighbouring islands also occupied Korčula, in 230 B.C. On his death regaining its independence, the widow queen Teuta took control of it again until Demetrius Fario, appointed as its prefect, surrendered it to the Romans together with Lesina (Hvar) his homeland. Whether Agron and Teuta had forcefully occupied the island with the use of arms, cannot be affirmed. The Alexandrian Appiano says no more than: "and once (they) conquered the island of Pharum (Hvar)" ; which makes us think it occurred due to combined dedication. Only in the times of Caesar Octavian Augustus (35 B.C.) does the name in the history of human events appear clear. It is known now for the first time, that the Curzolani (inhabitants of Korčula) tried to seal their reacquired freedom with their own blood. They resisted with anguished courage to the arms of the Triumvir who had come in person to conquer it. The punishment was equal to the resistance. The Alexandrian Appiano tells us of the severity of the punishment and the cause of the war:

“

After a fierce war, Divus Augustus defeated the inhabitants of Melite and Corcyra who, at that time, were running out of supplies; the reason for the war was that these islanders had resorted to piracy and used to infest the sea with their fleet. All the adults were killed at once, while the remaining people were sold as slaves

”

But if Octavian in the repression caused it to be damaged, he didn’t consider it unworthy of his attention for its benefit; sending Roman colonists to it to direct it for better understanding and regulated habits, paving the way to a much greater cultivation and lessening the original coarseness. If the gravestones which are being unearthed among the ruins scattered across the island bear witness to the existence of the Roman colonies, they explain their purpose.

Korčula, from its origins to the present time, has been in existence for 3,038 years, and history classifies its political life in the following phases:

• Free with her own independence until the occupation by Agron, and then for very short intervals by Teuta, by the Romans until Octaviano Augustus; and then at the time of the Veneti from 1180 to 1252, from 1254 to 1258, and from 1418 to 1420, on the whole.
• Subject to the Roman Emperors first from the west, then from the east, by Augustus at Heraclius until 642.
• Defeated and confederated by the Narantani (Neretljani Slavs) from 642 to 999.
• Conquered by the Veneti under the management of the doge Pietro II Orseolo from 999 to 1100.
• Held by the Genoese from 1100 to 1129.
• Recaptured by Popone Zorzi, from the Veneto Region, and by the Republic subjected to this house from 1129 to 1180, from 1252 to 1254, and from 1258 until 1357.
• Possessed on behalf of the king of Hungary from 1257 and with brief interruptions of the Genoese until 1418.
• Devoting itself of its own accord to the Republic of Venice in 1420, and held by it with exemption from any tax until 1797.
• Surrendered with the Veneto State to Napoleon I of France, and united with the Kingdom of Italy from 1806 to 1807, and later from 1808 to 1813 annexed with Dalmatian to the Illyrian provinces.
• Taken and held by the Russians in 1808
• Taken from the French by the English and guarded for themselves from 1813 to 1815.
• Occupied by Austria, first by obligation from 1797 to 1806, later by Vienna Treaty from 1815 to the present 1858.

Dalmatia (the dark purple) within todays modern Croatia. The island of Korcula is marked red.

Chapter Two- Battles Sustained on the Island of Korcula

Protected by the Roman eagles, Korčula enjoyed peace and was well-off. Nor due to the change of events did she try to claim freedom; and as at first was faithful to Rome when the Empire divided she was ruled by Constantinople. But with the Caesar's loss of power the days of pain were nearing.

From a very old report discovered recently, that we don’t consider apocryphal, is noted how frightening the invasion of the Narentani (Neretljani) was for the island, and as to a certain king who, escaping the persecution of Narentani's fleet, built a fortress in Siralievaz, in which with one hundred of his followers he had stationed himself, succeeded to gather the surrounding defence to himself. This king would have built other fortresses there: Maxima Autem, says the report,

“

but the biggest fortress was the one erected in a place that locals call Bradat, close to the dwelling of a good man, a saint whose name is Saint Visko

”

He had the inhabitants of Korčula equip six prisons at his own expense, and thus also erect three shelters. Of all this there are obvious ruins to date.

“

(the king) erected three shelters in the harbour facing the northern side of the mountain called Gradina, where our merciful king's fleet used to be stationed... Not so far from the inner sea of the Island, there is a place favourable for fighting against the powerful Narentani pirates, who were a huge nuisance.

”

Despite the relentless defence bravely sustained by the inhabitants, most from the Mattani in the fortress of Siralievaz, every effort was useless, the king was compelled to flee from the island; in fact he was almost taken by the Narentani (Neretljani) in the sortie made from the western promontory, if he had not been freed on the part of the islanders. The reporter gives his name as Ristle and declares himself minister of the king, after his death which occurred elsewhere with royal brother Ottoniero, states that he returned to the island, where he had a sister desponsata Patron Spaho:

“

(the minister says: I had) a sister married to patron Spaho (Editors notes: patron Spaho is someone who has undertaken to protect the interests of a community), lord of the beautiful land of Sitnizza, where he used to pitch his tent and hunt birds.... and I found that Narentani plundered many things. My strength abandoned me when I saw the fleet and the fields... We cannot move any further without incurring in our strong enemies.

”

There was hard aggression committed to both towns of which the ruins can still be seen in Bradat and Potirna. They were inhabited also by Roman families, as the gravestones and many other ancient pieces unearthed not so long ago bear witness.

A battle took place on the island around the year 829. Exiled from the throne and from the Obeleiro State and Beato Antenonj, or Antonaj, doges, one after the other of Venice, to whom the Curzolani, already confederated of the Narentain (Neretljani), acknowledged friendship and partisan feelings, the latter fleeing to Korčula, where he had correspondences and instruments to recover with the assistance of these in the ducal seat. But the doge Zuanne Partecipazio, being informed of these schemes, at the head of a strong army descended upon Korčula, which despite powerful resistance, saw many of his own killed and the prisoners hanged; the ex doge Beato Antenonio had his head cut off.

A source from the Veneto Region stated that as a result of this fact Korčula and Veglia, where even the Antenonj had partisans, remained subject to those of the Veneto Region. This occurred for a brief period with regard to Korčula, the resulting reunion being tough between her and the Narentani (Neretljani), however the alliance lasted a short time. There is on the island a sunny valley called Dughipod, neighbouring the inundating field known Blatta (Blato), in which one could see various large masses of rocks, and among these the largest and widest, and the only one on the island, called Ducelova gomilla. From the previous matter and from the places, which embrace vast plains suited for manoeuvring an army in battle, it is probable that a battle occurred there and that under that impressive mass of rocks was buried the beheaded doge Beato Antenonio, and therefore to that the Slavic name of Ducelova gomilla, namely the doge’s partition wall.

The fourth battle was with the doge of the Veneto Region Pietro II Orseolo in 999, from which, having defeated the Narentani (Neretljani), their ally Korčula, was also conquered. Some historians note that the Curzolani, determined to oppose the advances of the doge, urged the Ragusani (Dubrovnik) and the Lesignani (Hvar) to form an alliance, but pre-empted by the sudden appearance of a large army in the Korčula Channel, which fruitlessly awaited on the nearby reef of S. Massimo. Vulgo Massan, opted for negotiations for surrender, due to the fact that Korčula was forced to withstand alone. Of this fact Andrea Dandolo writes:

“

Since Korčula's inhabitants refused to obey Orseolo's orders, he gathered a strong armed force and subdued them.

”

The learned Marco Casotti with Lucio claim that the alliance of Korčula with the Narentani (Neretljani) worked to even make Venice their inland revenue, after the death of its doge Pietro Candiano in the battle of Pontamica, and that those of the Veneto Region were now avenging themselves of this by dismantling Korčula from the foundations.

The reports tell that the Venitians were distracted in the Holy Land undertaking and allowed the Genoese, in the year 1100, to occupy the island of Korčula and to keep it subjugated for some time. This subjection will not be followed with a fight, as the Curzolani with far greater powers fought to support their freedom, nor without shedding of blood would they be subjected.

Miroslav, Nemanja and Costantino

Miroslav, Stefan Nemanja and Costantino, counts of Chelmo (latter Counts of Raška), broadened with significant conquests the fatherly encroachers and possessed the territories of Narenta (Neretljani), Macarsca (Makarska) and Stagno (Ston). With the introduction of the Ragusani (Dubrovnik) to the detriment of Catholicism they wanted to conquer also nearby Korčula and therefore Constantine with a strong army, which amounted to some twenty thousand men, in 1181 landed in a faraway part of the city and began to terrorise the island with fire and steel. But the Curzolani, gathering together , as Farlati writes, took up the pursuit of their enemies, of which they killed many. Others were taken as prisoners, among which the said Constantino, who to obtain his freedom was compelled, together with his brothers, under oath to promise never again to make an attempt to take any step towards the independence of the Curzolani. With this resounding victory they honourably regained their freedom and preserved/protected the professed Catholic religion.

Zorzi House

By the end of the year 1129 Korčula was subjected to the Zorzi House (Republic of Venice) but due to various events regained it's independence. In 1252 Marsilio Zorzi succeeded in re-conquering it for Venice. The Curzolani suffered badly under his tyranny and after two years of his control dismissed him. Ruggero Zorzi a few years later with the help of Venice and Ragusa (Dubrovnik), amassed a strong arm of forces and arrived below the city calling on it to surrender. Not taking any notice of these threats, the Curzolani resolutely rejected the attack and tested the enemy inflecting lots of damage. They seized the banner from the invaders. The wounded Ruggero was obliged to give up and take cover within the island. A number of the inhabitants, allured by promises, acted as a support for him in order that he could return to the offensive against the city. After a strong crushing battle, Ruggero sacked and demolished the town. He placed Count Marsilio back in command. Merciful towards the defeated, the walls he rebuilt were more beautiful than before.

Giorgio Viario

Town of Curzola

In the year 1483 Federico of Aragon, son of Ferdinand king of Naples, was at war with the Venetians. With Lissa (Vis) being destroyed and conquered a large army landed their troops with the aim of conquering Korčula. Giorgio Viario then ruled the island with the title of count for the republic of the Veneto region. He was a fearless and courageous man who had the city well armed. He positioned the few island fighters in appropriate sites and resolutely defended the town of Korčula. With the aid of these allies he repelled repeated assaults and destroyed the catapults thus turning the tide of the battle in favour of the defenders. His followers also fended off attacks by the other military artilleries employed by the Aragonese to demolish the walls and enter the city. Such was the courage of the Curzolani who for several days resisted this siege, and repelled the attacks. They struck down arrows and made a large number of aggressors fall under the walls.

To confuse the enemy, Count Viario envisaged the plan to have the bells ring suddenly. The Aragonese bewildered by the city bells ringing and of the near danger, left under the walls of the city more than 500 men and a large amount of war equipment. They retreated and fled on the high seas. This victory occurred on the 24th of August,the feast day of St. Bartholomew. A commemorative procession was devoted in thanksgiving that is customary in all parishes of the island on this all day feast. The prince and Senate of the Veneto Region later so appreciated the victory that they erected a memorial.

“

Giovanni Mocenigo duke of Venice for the sake of God, expresses his gratitude to the extraordinary soldiers of the Count and to the people of Korčula, our faithful ally.

”

See also

• Original Direct Translation from Italian
• Korcula History 2
• Korcula Dialect

Editor's Notes

The Lumbarda Psephisma

• Nikola Ostojic wrote: "Korčula in ancient times was not some Greco-Phoenician post".

Note: A Greek colony was founded on Korčula. Greek colonists formed a small colony on the island in the 4th or 3rd century B.C. Lumbarda Psephisma is a stone inscription which documented the event and was found on the island of Korčula, in modern-day Croatia. The Psephisma is from Lumbarda, (a small village on east end of Korčula) where it was discovered in 1877 by Bozo Krsinic. The Greeks established a settlement on the basis of a prior agreement with the representatives of the local Illyrians who were Pil and his son Daz.

Quote from the Lumbarda Psephisma:

“

Best of luck. During the time of hieromnamon Praxidam in the month of Machaneus a contract was made to establish a colony between the people of Issa (Vis) and Pil and his son Daz. Colony founders agreed upon and the people decided: those who where the first to occupy the land and built a wall around the city would get a special land to build houses within the fortified city, especially with a part, and of the land which was outside the city, so that those first people separately obtain the first lot of three plethrons separated from the land, and from the other parts, to write down (what lot and what part) each of them obtained, and in permanent ownership they (and their descendants) get one and a half plethrons each; subsequent colonists are to get from undistributed land in the field four and a half plethrons; the authorities swear never to divide the city or land again; if someone of the authority proposes something or someone agrees against this (Psephism), let he or she be dishonoured, and his or her property should become public property; the person who kills him or her is not to be punished……… This land was obtained and the city walls built by: Dymanes, Hylleis & Pamphylois.

”

• Nikola Ostojic wrote:"Defeated and confederated by the Narantani from 642 to 999."

Note: The date stated by Ostojic of Korčula's being confederated by the Narantani has to be questioned. The Narantani, which are referred to today mainly as Neretljani, were a nation of pirates. Firstly known as Arentanoi. Modern scholarly research now puts the time of the invasion of the Slavic tribes in the region to be much later. Archaeological evidence found in the old Roman city of Salon and in particularly the artefacts found at the Old Croatian grave sites in Dalmatia (during recent excavations) seems to confirm this. The arrival of the Slavs by some has now been placed to be more in the region of the 8th century or even early 9th century.

• Nikola Ostojic wrote: "Constantine with a strong army, which amounted to some twenty thousand men in 1181 landed in a faraway part of the city and began to terrorise the island with fire and steel." I find the figure of twenty thousand men highly unlikely the island itself today has a population 16,182 inhabitants (2001).

Encyclopaedia Britannica's (publ. 1911)

Article on Korcula from 1911:

“

Curzola (Korcula), the capital and principal port, is a fortified town on the east coast, and occupies a rocky foreland almost surrounded by the sea. Besides the interesting church (formerly a cathedral), dating from the 12th or 13th century, the loggia or council chambers, and the palace of its former Venetian governors, it possesses the noble mansion of the Arnieri, and other specimens of the domestic architecture of the 15th and 16th centuries, together with the massive walls and towers, erected in 1420, and the 15th-century Franciscan monastery, with its beautiful Venetian Gothic cloister. The main resources of the islanders are boat-building (for which they are celebrated throughout the Adriatic), fishing and seafaring, the cultivation of the vine, corn and olives, and breeding of mules.

”

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External Links

• Korcula Info
• Photo link for a aerial view of Korcula Town
• Vela Luka-Mediterano
• Wikipedia: Lumbarda Psephisma

The Chapel of Saint Cosmas (Kuzma) and Saint Damian on the island of Korcula. The Chapel is from the 6th century AD. Photo by Peter Zuvela

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