NEOLITHIC & ANTIQUE
The island of Vis was first settled by
Mediterranean cultures during the Neolithic in 3000 BC. The name
of the island, ISSA, derives from that time. The Illyrians, representatives
of the metal civilisation, settled the island in 2000 BC. In 6-5
centuries BC Issa was ruled by Ion, who established the first
Illyrian state on the Adriatic Sea. At that time the island was
called Ion's island and Ion's figure embellished the coins of
the town of Issa. In 397 BC the tyrant from Syracuse, Dionysus
the Older, founded - in Issa - the first Greek colony on the eastern
coast of the Adriatic; in that way the Island was given the central
position on the Adriatic, which enabled it to control all the
trade routes. Settlers from Greece introduced a more advanced
way of cultivating the land, as well as the new field crops -
grapes and olives. During the reign of Dionysus the Younger, Issa
became a free democratic polis "town - state", which
rapidly started to strengthen its position by spreading its trade
network and founding its colonies on the islands and mainland:
Lumbarda (on Korčula), Tragurion (Trogir), Epetion (Stobreć) and
finally Salona (Solin). All these colonies were economically and
politically ruled by Issa. A part of the archaeological finds
in graves from that period consists of vases from Issa, wine jugs
and terracotta sculptures. Ancient Issa is an example of the oldest
system of town - planing in our regions. It is situated in the
northern part of the bay, called Gradina. Like other Greek towns
Issa was surrounded by walls which have been partly preserved;
it is also supposed that it had a standard, regular network of
streets. Due to favorable circumstances Issa flourished up until
the conflict with the Illyrian king, Argos, broke out, and after
that, with his widow, Queen Teuta, in 331 BC. Aware of the fact
that it would not be able to repel the attack by Queen Teuta,
Issa asked for help from the Roman Empire. Entering into this
alliance, Rome came to the eastern part of the Adriatic for the
first time; it afterwards became its field of interest for almost
2 thousand years. Thanks to its loyal alliance with Rome and the
help they received through its conquering raids, Issa and its
colonies continued to develop in economic terms. Such a development
continued until 47 BC, when Issa chose the wrong side in the war
between Caesar and Pompey - Pompey's. After his defeat, Issa was
turned into a Roman municipium. Nevertheless, owing to its rich,
long - standing cultural, economical and maritime experience Issa
was in a position to continue ruling over its colonies (Roman
municipal) although under more difficult circumstances. Therefore,
it remained the most important trade center on the Adriatic and
the main mediator between the Mediterranean countries and the
interior. As barbarian tribes invaded the borders of the Roman
Empire, the economic power of big centres, like Salona, declined.
Consequently, the island Issa, which was connected with Salona,
started to decline, too, while settlers continued to live in the
Roman villa rustica, scattered afterwards developed into bigger
rural communities.
What can you see today:
THERMAE, as well as the foundations of an antique theatre have
only partly been preserved. Judging by the size of the theatre,
which could accommodate some 3000 people, it is assumed that Issa
of old had about 12-14.000 inhabitants. Outside the town walls
there are three archaeological sites with graveyards, the one
by the western walls was later given the Slavonic name Martvilo,
the one by the eastern walls was called Vlaöks njiva, whereas
the southern graveyard was situated in the area of today's Luka.
Findings of the urns from the 1st century BC testify to the oldest
traces of cremation in Dalmatia.
COMING OF CROATS AND
DOMINATION OF VENETIAN REPUBLIC
In 7th and 8th century the Croats came to Issa. They soon mingled
with the natives, of Illyrian, Greek and Roman origin. The name
of the island became Croatized and was renamed Vis, as it is today.
The Croatian name Vis is first mentioned in the work by the Byzantine
Emperor Constantin Porfirogenet (912-959), "De Administrando
Imperio". When the Croats came to Vis, the island turned
into one of the most important war-maritime strongholds in the
eastern Adriatic. This is the reason why, in 997, Vis was invaded
by the Venetians; the settlement was completely destroyed while
a larger part of the population was enslaved. The rest of the
inhabitants withdrew from the destroyed town inland where they
founded the settlements Velo Selo and Dol; there they took up
vine - growing that there they were protected from assaults from
the sea. In 1154 the Hvar diocese was founded, because only in
that way could Venice weaken the resistance of Dalmatia and its
islands united under the strong Split diocese. Therefore, in 1185
the islands of Brač, Hvar, Vis, Lastovo and Korčula belonged to
the Hvar diocese. At that time the Benedictines came to Vis; they
founded their monasteries and associated churches on Biöevo and
Komia. Vis belonged to the Hvar diocese which fell within the
jurisdiction of the Zadar archdiocese, itself dependent on the
Venetian Republic, therefore, it was made possible for the bishop
from Hvar to consign his whole bishopric to be governed by the
Venetian Republic in 1278. Consequently, the Venetian Republic
assigned its own chancellor, removed district - perfect and founded
a centralized commune, which also comprised Hvar, BraË and Vis.
When Vis became a part of Hvar commune, noblemen from Hvar were
given properties on Vis, while the native population entered into
tenant farming relations towards noblemen and clergy. Such a situation
lasted until 1358, when peace was restored to Zadar, Venice lost
all its territory, which came under Croatian - Hungarian rule.
In 1483, the fleet from the Napolitan - Aragonian king Ferrante
attached Vis and destroyed Velo Selo situated inland. The population
returned to St. George's Port, in addition to the ancient settlement
they founded two more settlements, Luka, at the western side of
the bay and Kut, at the eastern one. The two settlements survived
until 1579, when the Lady's Guild raised the church to Our Lady
of the Cave, which connects the two settlements (the church was
named after the cave it was erected on).
THE DOMINATION OF AUSTRIA AND UNITED
KINGDOM
In 1797, when the peace treaty was signed in Campoformi, Vis fell
under Austria rule; later, in 1805, after making peace in Poun,
it was governed by France. At that time, although Vis was legally
in possession of France, it was the English who really ruled the
roost of the island, became an international center of smugglers
and pirates. Due to a large number of people who came to stay
on Vis, the number of inhabitants suddenly increased from 10.000
to almost 120.000. Such a situation soon became unacceptable to
Napoleon, who decided to take over his property using even military
force against the English. As the English fought back fiercely,
the French fleet was defeated in the battle near Vis, in 1811,
and the Englishman, Sir George Duncan Robertson, was assigned
the job of governor on Vis. Being aware the strategic importance
of Vis the English hurriedly began to fortify the port of Vis.
When Vis came under their control, the English began to rule the
Adriatic. After the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, Vis was put under
the control of the Hapsburg Monarchy which did not invest a lot
into it; however, the new rulers realised that Vis occupied an
important strategic position and thus built the fortress Baterija
there. This proved to be an extremely important move, for it was
Vis which successfully repulsed the first attack by the Italian
fleet in 1866, thus preventing its foray into the Adriatic. After
this success, in 1873, the Monarchy ordered that Vis should be
disarmed, and its towers and fortresses destroyed. From that time
on, Vis is famous only for good wine and fish, it was the beginning
of its slow but steady economic decline.
2nd WORLD WAR AND
AFTER
An important strategic position of Vis proved, once again, during
the second world war - a lot of refugees immigrated for Italy
and Egypt from this island; it was also a base for the allied
planes, navy, and a central base of the Supreme Headquarters and
the Supreme Commander, Josip Broz Tito. From the island of Vis
battles against the enemy were controlled, contacts with the allies
were made, agreements were reached. The enormous contribution
of Vis in the fights against the enemy gave this island a special
place in peacetime. On the other hand, unfortunately, this extremely
strategically important position of Vis has destroyed the island
itself. In the period of 45 years after the war the army outnumbered
the population of Vis, therefore, foreign tourists were not allowed
on the island. Economic development was neglected because all
the money went for army maintenance and mere survival of population.
In the 70's two hotels were opened, in Vis and Komiža, an effort
to help the island through touristic orientation - the offers
were aimed mainly at tourists from our country. The only activities
one could decently live on were those founded a hundred years
ago, like vine - growing and fishing. And so it turned out that
the island, due to its extraordinary values, natural, cultural
as well as political ones, was doomed to slowly die away. In 1995
the population of the island is 4600, 500 of them being recent
war invalids with families, as well as refugees. There are about
1500 laborers, and only 670 of them are employed (only 50 in agriculture).
The fish manufacturing plant in Komi`a has been closed, the wine
cellar in Vis is working with only 30% capacity, while the textile
plant workers are on the dole. Mostly season workers from the
mainland are employed in the hotels.
