Special Sub-Topic: Italian Names of Balkan Cities Click Here To Play: Italian Names of Balkan Cities

We start in Croatia. The city of Split was called _______ in Italian?

Spalato. Split, an important Croatian harbor, came under Venice in 1420 and then Austria in 1797. It was held by the French in Napoleonic era, then returned in 1815 to Austria. Passed to Yugoslavia 1918 and to Croatia 1992.

Also in Croatia, the city of Dubrovnik had this Italian name?

Ragusa. Ragusa on the Dalmatian coast was an independent republic until it was conquered by Napoleon in 1808 and included in the Illyrian Provinces. It passed to Austria in 1815 and incorporated in Yugoslavia in 1918. Now part of independent Croatia.

Again in Croatia,the city of Rijeka was called _______ in Italian?

Fiume. Rijeka came to Austria in 15th century. It became a free port and was united to Croatia, then gained autonomy under Hungarian crown. It was held by Napoleonic France as part of Illyrian Provinces (1809-13), occupied by Italy in 1919, set up as an independent free city in 1920, occupied by Fascist Italy 1922. Transferred to Yugoslavia in 1947, to independent Croatia in 1991.

To Slovenia now. Slovenia´s port Koper was called ______ in Italian?

Capodistria. Koper belonged alternately to Venice and Genoa from 10th century. It became capital of Istria, fell to Austria 1797-1805 and 1814-19, and to Italy 1918-47. Part of Yugoslavia 1954-91, it passed to independent Slovenia 1991.

To Montenegro (Yugoslavia) now. Kotor is a Montenegro port. In Italian it was called ________?

Cattaro. Situated in the bay of Kotor, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea, Kotor is an important harbor, formerly a naval base of Austria-Hungary. It was under Venetian rule 1420-1797, passed to Austria in 1797, then to France 1807-14, and back to Austria 1814-1918. To Yugoslavia from 1918.

Bar is another port in Montenegro. In Italian it was called _______?

Antivari. Along with other Monenegrian ports (Kotor, Ulcinj) Bar was held by the Venetians until 1571, then by Turks until late 19th century.

To Albania now. The city of Dürres was called ______ in Italian?

Durazzo. Dürres was ruled by Venice 1392-1501, and by Turks 1501-1913. After occupation by Serbs 1912-13 it was made part of principality of Albania. It was occupied first by the Italians and then by the Austrians in WW1 and was severely damaged in WW2. Martial law was imposed in 1991 to halt mass emigration to Italy.

Another Albanian port. Vlorë, was called _______ in Italian?

Valona. Independence of Albania was proclaimed here in 1912. It was occupied by Italians in WW1 and WW2.

Another Albanian city, Shkodër, was called in Italian?

Scutari. This city was the ancient capital of Illyria. It was held by the Venetians 1396-1497. It was a stronghold of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg in 15th century. It was under Turkish rule 1479-1913, was occupied 1916 by Austria and ceded to independent Albania in 1921.

Now to Greece. Karpathos, along with the other Dodecanese Islands, came to Italy after a war with Turkey in 1912. What was the Italian name of the island Karpathos and its capital city?

Scarpanto. The 12 main Dodecanese Islands are Astipalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Khalke, Kos, Leros, Lipsos, Nisiros, Patmos, Simi and Tilos. They were held as a part of Ottoman Empire from 16th century until 1912. The islands were prmisd to greece but not surrendered. In 1920 they were turned over to Greece after Turkey had ceded them to to Italy. Rhodes, Dodecanese and Kastellorizon were given to Italy in 1923 and restored to Greece in 1947.