Peroj

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Peroj is a small town in the Vodnjan municipality on the south-western coast of Istria, currently inhabited by ~400 inhabitants, dating back to the Copper age of prehistory, as testified by a necropolis within the old walls of the town. The town has been settled with families from a variety of origins throughout its history. During the occupation of the Romans, the town was named Pedrolo, and was a popular holiday destination.

In 1562 the town had been emptied due to malaria and plague, and Leonardo Fioravanti from Bologna brought to the area 124 families of farmers from the Romagna region of present day Italy, some of which settled in Peroj. However people from Pula felt their territories had been violated and began a series of persecutions which lead the families to leave the area.

In 1578 some Greek families were brought to the area, and between 1580 and 1583 25 more Greek families from Nauplia were settled in Peroj, and 25 families from Cyprus were also settled. In 1585 the families from Nauplia renounced to the lands given to them and left the area. The Cypriots remained, but gradually some left and some died due to the plagues affecting the region, and in 1644 the population of Peroj was reduced to three people only.

In 1657, the Doge of Venice, Giovanni Pesaro, decided to repopulate the town by bringing 13 families of Montenegrin origin and of Orthodox religion, originally from the Cernizza region in Montenegro that had escaped from the Turkish occupation. These families remained in Peroj and until recently Montenegrin language was taught in the local schools due to their presence. Owing to their presence the Orthodox church of San Spiridione was built in the 19th century.¹