The Slavic
emigration in Molise :
These migrations date mainly from the 15th century. The explanation
most usually allowed is that they are the consequence of the invasion Ottoman
which began at the 14th century. But this reason does not suffice for all
to explain. These migrations are the consequence initially of the misery
and the political instability of the Balkan Peninsula reigning since the
13th century. But it is the invasion Ottoman which will push the most people
to be migrated towards more lenient skies, in particular towards Italy.
Which is this population which settled in the three villages which interest
us? Most probably, it is initially a population of Christian confession
(orthodoxe or catholic), which quite naturally chose to flee the Moslem
command ottoman and ended up living in Molise. Their final installation
in the villages which interest us date of the the XVI century beginning
(1508 for Montemitro, 1518 for San Felice and 1562 for Acquaviva-Collecroce).
One announces however Slavic establishments in Molise since 1488 to Lanciano.
We will not forget that a very significant Albanian population also emigrated
in Italy at that time. This small Slavic enclave is indeed surrounded by
villages with populations of Albanian extraction.
Synopsis
:
Me to contact, here my electronic address :
manso@clermont.in2p3.fr