Dalmatia

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

It remaineth that wee should speake somewhat of Dalmatia, a part whereof is described in this Table. It was so caled from Deliminium the Metropolis of this Country. Heretofore Dalmatia was a potent Kingdome, and the Dalmatians were heretofore strong and rich, and confident in the situation of their Country. They lived for the most part in Woods, and so were much given to robbing. The Citties are Salanum, and not far from the borders of this Country, the Citty Apollonia is situated by the Sea side, neere unto which there is a Rocke which sendeth forth flashes of fire, and beneath it hot water and Brimstone doth boyle forth, especially when the Rocke blazeth and burneth. The Ecclesiasticall government according to Mercator is in this manner. There is the Archbishop Iadra, who they now call Zara. Under whom are Anzara, Vegla, Arbe: also the Archbishop of Spalato, nuder whom are the Bishops Tragurium, of Teniensis Tina, Sardona, Temnensis, Nenensis, Nonensis, Almisa, Sibinicensis, Farensis. The Archbishop of Ragusine, under whom are Stagnensis, Rossonensis, Tribuniensis, Bacensis, Rosensis, Bidnanensis, Budva. The Archbishop Antiberensis, under whom are the Bishops of Dulcinium, Suacinensis, Drinastensis, Polastrensis, Scodrensis, Sardensis, Surtanensis, or Acutarensis, Arbensis.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Of the State of Ragusa. THis is a small Republick, which has its Territories in Dalmatia, near those of the Turks, and upon the Gulph of Venice. It pays eighteen thousand Sequins of annual Tribute to the Grand Seignior for liberty of Commerce in the Levant. The City which seems to have succeeded to the ancient Epidaure, is pretty well fortify'd, and very populous. It has the Title of an Archbishoprick; its Inhabitants, who addict themselves for the most part to trade, are Roman Catholicks. In the year 1667. it received a great loss by an Earthquake. Its Principal Harbour is that of St. Croix, which is three Leagues distant from it. Its Ships are pretty numerous, well known in the Seas of the Levant, as its Caravans be in the Dominions of the Turks in Europe. He who commands the Republick of Ragusa, is called Doge or Rectour; he is assisted with the Councel of a hundred Senators, his Government lasts only a Month. The Governour of the Castle is changed every day, wherein one of the Nobles enters to command in his turn. Their Gentlemen must marry Gentlewomen, if they mean their Children should be acknowledged to be of the Ragusian Nobility. The Revenue of the Republick is five and twenty thousand Crowns. The Country above the Town is not over fertile, full of Rocks and Stones; if it bring forth any thing, it is by the means of the Forreign Earth which they cause to be brought thither, which is done with such care and such success, that the Coast makes a Beautiful Prospect of Vineyards, Orange Trees, Lemon Trees and Pomegranates. The Neighbouring Islands which are of the dependance of Ragusa, are also very pleasant. The Turks have some sort of inclination for the Ragusians, by reason they pay punctually their Tribute, and that by their means they are provided with all the Commodities of Europe, which they stand in need of. They give them Priveledges which they seldom grant to other Christians.