Smokvica, Korčula

History

The origin of the name Smokvica is not completely understood. It is understood that it might have come from the Roman language Latin, which means pathways. It is also possible that the name could be linked with the presence of water, due to the numerous ponds and lakes in the field of Sitnica in ancient times. Most likely the name has nothing to do with the Mediterranean fruit tree, the fig (Croatian: "smokva").

Smokvica has been inhabited since ancient times. Numerous remains of ancient ceramics have been found in the area. Mostly old Greek and Roman wine and olive oil vases. There are also remains of ancient Greek villas. In the Korčula Statute https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043710/http://www.korculainfo.com/history/statute-korcula-town-1214.html from 1214 Smokvica is mentioned (but the earliest dated mention of Smokvica is in 1338). The Korčula Statute recommends on the defense of the old town of Korčula as well as Blato, Smokvica, Čara, Pupnat and Žrnovo. Smokvica along with the island of Korčula was part of the Republic of Venice (1420-1797).

On June 10, 1715, at the crack of dawn, 260 Turkish pirates in two galleys landed at Brna, 3 miles southwest of Smokvica, and carried away 23 residents of Smokvica to be sold as slaves, along with Don Marko Bono from Zrnovo, the parish priest. Don Marko was sold as a slave in Ulcinj for 100 sequins but was later ransomed by his relatives for 141 sequins and returned to Smokvica where he remained until his death in 1745.

Dinko Tomasic (1902–1975), the first Croatian sociologist, was born in Smokvica. His father Frano Tomasic Dezevic (1854–1926) was the first teacher in Smokvica. Following the 1934 assassination of King of Yugoslavia Alexander I and French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou in Marseille during king's state visit to France, 30 young men from Smokvica did not shave their beards for six months as a sign of mourning.

During World War II, the pastor's house was burned down during a German attack on August 7, 1944, with the loss of the parish archive dating back to 1604. A plaque in Smokvica lists the names of 43 Partisans from Smokvica who were killed in the National Liberation War, along with 16 civilians.

Demographics

According to the 2021 census, its population was 868. It had a population of 916 in the census of 2011, and 1,210 in the census of 2001. The absolute majority have been Croats (98-99%).

References

References

1. {{Cite Q. Q119585703
2. {{Croatian Census 2021. S
3. [https://www.korcula.net/grad/sword/festival.htm Kumpanija/Festival of Sword Dances] Korčula.net
4. "Poljodjelstvo opcine Smokvica", by Josip Pecotic, in Smokvicki Zbornik, ed. by Don Stanko Lasic and Miljenko Foretic, Smokvica, 1998, pages 171-180.
5. [https://books.google.com/books?id=W_gnnx7PxjAC&q=Republic+of+venice+rule++korcula&pg=PA206 Isolation, Migration & Health/Population Structure in the Adriatic] 33rd Symposium Volume of the Society by Derek Frank Roberts, Norio Fujiki, K. Torizuka & Kanji Torizuka
6. [https://www.korcula.net/history/histsurvey.htm The Venetian Period/Korcula-Historical Survey] Korčula's History, Art, Culture and Tradition-Korčula.net
7. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5q9zcB3JS40C&q=Ulcinj+&pg=PA155 Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters:] White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500–1800 by Robert C. Davis
8. Otok Korčula, by Marinko Gjivoje, 2nd ed., Zagreb, 1969, pages 346-347.
9. "Prvijenci Smokvice", by Dr. Goran Kalogjera, In Bastina iz Bascine Izresla, ed. by Mara Margaritoni, Smokvica, 2004, pages 34-35.
10. [[Ivo Goldstein]]. (2017). "Jugoslavija u istorijskoj perspektivi". [[International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights.
11. "Zupna crkva u Smokvici", by Don Stanko Lasic, in Smokvicki Zbornik, ed. by Don Stanko Lasic and Miljenko Foretic, Smokvica, 1998, page 111.
12. {{Croatian Census 2011. S. 19. 4022
13. {{Croatian Census 2001. S. 19. 4022
14. {{Croatian Census 2011. E. 19