Dvigrad
Encyclopedia
Dvigrad is an abandoned medieval town in central Istria
, Croatia
. It is located in the Draga valley. The history of the settlement is prehistoric; it remained inhabited until the 18th century.
in prehistoric times. In 1345, Dvigrad was sacked by the Genoese admiral Paganin Doria during conflicts between Genoa and Venice. The Venetians sacked the town in 1383, but did not take rule of it until 1413, when a nobleman from Koper was put in governance. In the 16th century, plague and malaria
depopulated much of the town. In the year 1615 it was besieged again, by Uskok
s, and while it escaped capture it was abandoned save for a few poor residents within 15 years. Only three families remained by 1650. In 1714, the last residents left the town to ruin.
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It is located in the Draga valley. The history of the settlement is prehistoric; it remained inhabited until the 18th century.
History
The region was settled by the IllyriansIllyrians
The Illyrians were a group of tribes who inhabited part of the western Balkans in antiquity and the south-eastern coasts of the Italian peninsula...
in prehistoric times. In 1345, Dvigrad was sacked by the Genoese admiral Paganin Doria during conflicts between Genoa and Venice. The Venetians sacked the town in 1383, but did not take rule of it until 1413, when a nobleman from Koper was put in governance. In the 16th century, plague and malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
depopulated much of the town. In the year 1615 it was besieged again, by Uskok
USKOK
USKOK is a Croatian government institution. It is a State Attorney office specialized in corruption and organized crime.USKOK started work in December 2001...
s, and while it escaped capture it was abandoned save for a few poor residents within 15 years. Only three families remained by 1650. In 1714, the last residents left the town to ruin.
Present day
The Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe is attempting to preserve and reconstruct the town.External links
- http://www.kanfanar.hr/kultura/dvigrad