Giuseppe Viscovich
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe Viscovich, also Josip Visković, was a Venetian
count. He was the Captain of the town of Perast
(now in Montenegro
), the last territory of the Republic of Venice
to surrender to France
.
On August 23, 1797, the citizens of Perast gathered to bury the flag of the Republic under the altar of the cathedral, to prevent it falling into enemy hands. Before the kneeling crowd, Viscovich delivered an emotional speech, the Discorso de Perasto, still well known to Venetians. Contemporary chroniclers tell that Giuseppe said to his young grandson, present at the ceremony, "You too kneel down, Annibale, and remember these words as long as you live."
Whilst Captain Viscovich's impassioned speech is often cited as an expression of the loyalty which many Slavic subjects of the Venetian Republic felt, uprisings did often occur against centuries-long Venetian rule in Dalmatia and the Montenegrin littoral.
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
count. He was the Captain of the town of Perast
Perast
Perast is an old town in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometres northwest of Kotor.- Geography :...
(now in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
), the last territory of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
to surrender to France
First French Empire
The First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
.
On August 23, 1797, the citizens of Perast gathered to bury the flag of the Republic under the altar of the cathedral, to prevent it falling into enemy hands. Before the kneeling crowd, Viscovich delivered an emotional speech, the Discorso de Perasto, still well known to Venetians. Contemporary chroniclers tell that Giuseppe said to his young grandson, present at the ceremony, "You too kneel down, Annibale, and remember these words as long as you live."
Whilst Captain Viscovich's impassioned speech is often cited as an expression of the loyalty which many Slavic subjects of the Venetian Republic felt, uprisings did often occur against centuries-long Venetian rule in Dalmatia and the Montenegrin littoral.