Changes

[[File:800px-Korcula City.jpg|thumb|right|325px| Town of Korcula]]

[[File:800px-Korcula City.jpg|thumb|right|325px| Town of Korcula]]

[[File:250px-Croatia-Dalmatia-1.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Dalmatia (the dark purple) within todays modern [[Croatia]] The island of Korcula is marked red.]]

[[File:250px-Croatia-Dalmatia-1.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Dalmatia (the dark purple) within todays modern [[Croatia]] The island of Korcula is marked red.]]

At the census of 1910 Italians were 25% of the population of the centre of Korčula and 15% of the nearby village of Vrnik (Petrara). In the rest of the town, as well as in the rest of the island, there were Italians. The majority of Italians were small artisans, especially stone cutters, masons and carpenters.

At the census of 1910 Italians were 25% of the population of the centre of Korčula and 15% of the nearby village of Vrnik (Petrara). In the rest of the town, as well as in the rest of the island, there were Italians. The majority of Italians were small artisans, especially stone cutters, masons and carpenters.

In the towns of Korčula and Vrnik (Petrara) were people employed in  trades such as teaching who were known and appreciated beyond the borders of Dalmatia.  A minority, however, was made up of landowners, merchants and retailers. In 1861 political representatives of the Italian language in Korčula were Auditors of the Smerchinich  family  <ref>Editors note: [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=kMXURN7sxh4C&pg=PA192&dq=Stefano+Smerchinich&hl=en&ei=PkvmTdLGNI7uvQOQ0p2ICw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Stefano%20Smerchinich&f=false The Italians of Dalmatia:] From Italian Unification to World War I by Luciano Monzali. Stefano Smerchinich from Curzula (Korčula) on page 192.</ref> (Smerkinić, of Slavic origin). <ref>Editors note: Smerkinić is mentioned in ''Povijest Splita'', Volume 3 (History of Split) by Grga Novak (p 177)  

In the towns of Korčula and Vrnik (Petrara) were people employed in  trades such as teaching who were known and appreciated beyond the borders of Dalmatia.  A minority, however, was made up of landowners, merchants and retailers. In 1861 political representatives of the Italian language in Korčula were Auditors of the Smerchinich  family  <ref>Editors note: [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=kMXURN7sxh4C&pg=PA192&dq=Stefano+Smerchinich&hl=en&ei=PkvmTdLGNI7uvQOQ0p2ICw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Stefano%20Smerchinich&f=false The Italians of Dalmatia:] From Italian Unification to World War I by Luciano Monzali:''"...Stefano Smerchinich from Curzula ..."'' on page 192.</ref> (Smerkinić, of Slavic origin). <ref>Editors note: Smerkinić is mentioned in ''Povijest Splita'', Volume 3 (History of Split) by Grga Novak (p 177)  

* "Čim je za to čuo korčulanski načelnik, dr Smerkinić, pisao je splitskom ... "</ref><ref>Editors note: Smerkinić is similar to '''Smrkinić''' , referenced from ''"Shipbuilding in Korcula"'' by Dusan Kalogjera. Taken from [http://www.korcula.net/history/shipbuilding.htm www.korcula.net]

* "Čim je za to čuo korčulanski načelnik, dr Smerkinić, pisao je splitskom ... "</ref><ref>Editors note: Smerkinić is similar to '''Smrkinić''' , referenced from ''"Shipbuilding in Korcula"'' by Dusan Kalogjera. Taken from [http://www.korcula.net/history/shipbuilding.htm www.korcula.net]

* "Thus Anton Bonguardo, shipbuilder and constructor, received the silver cross in 1864; Jakov Smrkinić, a shipbuilder, was awarded the golden cross with the crown in 1868."</ref> In 1867 an Italian of the Smerchinich family was elected to parliament in Vienna. However, [[Austria|Austrian]] authorities had begun the work of slavitization of the town. The Austrians considered the [[Croatia|Croats]] were more loyal subjects than the Italians.  

* "Thus Anton Bonguardo, shipbuilder and constructor, received the silver cross in 1864; Jakov Smrkinić, a shipbuilder, was awarded the golden cross with the crown in 1868."</ref> In 1867 an Italian of the Smerchinich family was elected to parliament in Vienna. However, [[Austria|Austrian]] authorities had begun the work of slavitization of the town. The Austrians considered the [[Croatia|Croats]] were more loyal subjects than the Italians.  

In May 1921 more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In May 1921 more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korčula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni.</ref>  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korčula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni. Slavic tribes invaded the region of''' Roman Dalmatia''' in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a Roman Latin-Illyrian population.</ref>  

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.

==Towns and municipalities in the region of Dubrovnik - Neretva==

==Towns and municipalities in the region of Dubrovnik - Neretva==

Curzola (Korčula) · Metcovich (Metković) · Fort Opus (Opuzen) · Porto Toler (Ploče) · Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

Curzola (Korčula) · Metcovich (Metković) · Fort Opus (Opuzen) · Porto Toler (Ploče) · Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

Common: Blatta (Blato) · Dubrovačko Primorje · Iagnina (Janjina) · Valley Channels (Konavle) · Norino Tower (Kula Norinska) · Lastovo (Lastovo) · Lombarda (Lumbarda) · Mljet (Mljet) · Pojezerje · Sabbioncello (Orebić ) · Slivno · Smoquizza (Smokvica) · Pond (Stone) · Trpanj (Trpanj) · Vallegrande (Vela Luka) · Zažablje · Župa dubrovačka ·

Common: Blatta (Blato) · Dubrovačko Primorje · Iagnina (Janjina) · Valley Channels (Konavle) · Norino Tower (Kula Norinska) · Lastovo (Lastovo) · Lombarda (Lumbarda) · Mljet (Mljet) · Pojezerje · Sabbioncello (Orebić ) · Slivno · Smoquizza (Smokvica) · Pond (Ston) · Trappano (Trpanj) · Vallegrande (Vela Luka) · Zažablje · Župa dubrovačka ·

==References==

==References==