An Attempted Albanian Settlement in Istria Orchestrated Together with Venetian Authorities (1610‑1612)

The Adriatic region has been characterized by spontaneous migrations and almost obligatory escapes, resulting in the constant redefinition of existing cities and the establishment of new ones. These population shifts, primarily caused by increasing Ottoman pressure in the Balkans, triggered chain reactions of community movements, leading to overlaps or forced displacements. This contribution presents the migration of the Albanian populations located between what is now southern Montenegro and northern Albania, which took place from the late 15th century to the second half of the 17th century, when these communities left the Ottoman region of Bar and sought to settle in the Venetian province of Istria. The text focuses on the planning stages of the journey and the establishment of some settlements between 1610 and 1612, shedding light on the interactions among refugees, authorities, and mediators.