Summary
An Italian naturalist and travel writer who described Dalmatia in the 18th century, including Brač honey and stone beehives. His work brings together nature, the economy, customs and history.
His descriptions brought Brač honey and stone beehives into the European travel writing of Dalmatia.
Travel as research
Fortis was an Augustinian monk, naturalist and writer. He visited Dalmatia and its hinterland several times between 1765 and 1791. He extended his observations of rocks and nature to the economy, customs and culture; his best-known work is ‘Viaggio in Dalmazia’ (‘Journey to Dalmatia’), published in 1774.
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Brač honey and stone beehives
A publication by the Ministry of Culture recounts his description of high-quality honey from Brač and beehives made of stone so the wind would not overturn them. Škrip is listed among the places where traces of such beehives have been preserved. The account connects the history of beekeeping with the island’s karst terrain and building techniques.
Sources: [2]
Kačić’s verses in European circulation
Andrija Kačić Miošić is another writer whose work appeared in Fortis’s books: Fortis translated some poems from ‘Razgovor ugodni’ (‘Pleasant Conversation’), believing them to be folk poetry. This is a documented instance of literary reception, not evidence that the two authors met in person.
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