PRCANJ ’ S SAILORS ( PERZAGNO ) AND THEIR FIDELITY TO VENICE
Already at the end of the 16th century , sailors from Prcanj stood out with their ships ( fusta ) on sails and oars which overpassed the Venetian State ships , as witnessed by the Venetian governorgeneral Almorò Tiepolo ( 1593 ). In fact , by the end of the 16th century , due to their tremendous skillfulness at the sea , the administration of the Venetian Republic decided to give to Prcanj ’ s captains the great responsibility to transport State mail ( pubblici dispacci ) on their ships .
The decision , come into force in 1625 , has brought many benefits to the population of Prcanj , such as relieving them from military service and physical , manual labour . On the other hand , the importance of a reliable postal service , ranging from Venice to Zadar and Kotor and even to Corfu , was of immense importance for the Republic of Venice .
The ships carrying mail were small in size and their crew numbered nine members . The privileges of the city grew thanks to this extraordinary role , and in 1704 Prcanj received the statute of Municipality ( Comunità di Perzagno ).
This decision of the Republic resulted in huge benefits , namely the abolition of customs , which strengthened the economic growth that inncreased the city ’ s maritime economy .
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