Alberto Fortis
Encyclopedia
Abbe Alberto Fortis was a Venetian
writer, naturalist and cartographer.
Alberto Fortis (as he called himself) was born in Padua on either 9 or 11 of November 1741. He journeyed extensively in Dalmatia
. His best known work is Viaggio in Dalmazia dell' Abate Alberto Fortis (Travels into Dalmatia), originally published in 1774 and first published in London in 1778.
The highlight of the book is the description of Morlachia, a term used by Fortis for the rural Dalmatian interior to distinguish it from the coastal towns under the influence of Venice
. This term was criticized by the Croatian writer Ivan Lovrić
, who wrote Notes on 'Travels in Dalmatia' of Abbe Alberto Fortis, accusing Fortis of many factual errors, which he attempted to rectify. Travels into Dalmatia played an important role in bringing the Dalmatian culture to the attention of Europe during the rise of Romantic
notions about folklore. Dalmatian hinterlands became epitomized by Hasanaginica, a folk ballad that was first written down by Fortis.
In 1795 Fortis was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in London. He died in Bologna eight years later on 21 October 1803.
Venetian
Venetian may refer to:*Venetian language, a language spoken in Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Mexico, Istria and Brazil.* Venetian cuisine* Venetian wine*Historical inhabitants of the Republic of Venice...
writer, naturalist and cartographer.
Alberto Fortis (as he called himself) was born in Padua on either 9 or 11 of November 1741. He journeyed extensively in Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
. His best known work is Viaggio in Dalmazia dell' Abate Alberto Fortis (Travels into Dalmatia), originally published in 1774 and first published in London in 1778.
The highlight of the book is the description of Morlachia, a term used by Fortis for the rural Dalmatian interior to distinguish it from the coastal towns under the influence of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
. This term was criticized by the Croatian writer Ivan Lovrić
Ivan Lovrić
Ivan Lovrić was a Croatian writer, ethnographer, and medical student, best known for his work Observations on 'Travels in Dalmatia' of Abbot Alberto Fortis....
, who wrote Notes on 'Travels in Dalmatia' of Abbe Alberto Fortis, accusing Fortis of many factual errors, which he attempted to rectify. Travels into Dalmatia played an important role in bringing the Dalmatian culture to the attention of Europe during the rise of Romantic
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
notions about folklore. Dalmatian hinterlands became epitomized by Hasanaginica, a folk ballad that was first written down by Fortis.
In 1795 Fortis was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in London. He died in Bologna eight years later on 21 October 1803.
Works
- Travels into Dalmatia; containing general observations on the natural history of that country and the neighboring islands; the natural productions, arts, manners and customs of the inhabitants: in a series of letters from Abbe Alberto Fortis, first published in London by J. Robson, 1778.
- A poetical sketch of the revolutions that have happened in the natural history of our planet intended as a specimen of a philosophical and theological poem, first published in London by B. White, 1786.