Following the Traces of Serbs Through Northern Italy

Since bygone times Italy has been one of the most attractive destinations of Serbian emigrants. We find Serbian cultural monuments across the Apennine peninsula. They are a testimony to the continual connections and presence of Serbs in this region. Traces of Serbian culture in Italy date from various periods of time. Italian historiography registered seven Serbian migrations to Italy only during the 15th century. In the first years of the 11th century Italian documents mention Castle Belgrade and Serbian villages in the area of today’s Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In response to the call of the Bishop of Aquileia, it is known that Serbs emigrated to Northern Italy at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century when they settled the empty areas following the havoc left behind by the Hungarian invasion (Vastata Hungarorum). From numerous documents of that period, it is known for certain that Serbs lived in that area even a few centuries earlier. Across Italy Serbs have left a cultural heritage of immeasurable historical value and universal cultural significance.