The Uskoks

Serbs that fled from the lands under the Turkish rule settled along the border regions of the Austrian Empire and the Venetian Republic. Like in their motherland, brigandage was common here, as well. As refugees in the border strip, the brigands eluded the control of the imperial authorities. They could “jump in and out” from one country to another, raiding, smuggling and looting – hence the name uskоks (Serb. pl. uskoci), , they were given in some region. Also the Serbs who were officially employed by the Venetian Republic and Austria in their fights against the Turks, were called the Uskoks. The first uskoks appear some time after the haiduks in the 16th century, and most often those were former haiduks from the Ottoman lands. The uskok activities were swift raids into the Turkish territories, attacking the enemy and quickly retreating to their regular fortifications in Austria and Venice. Such mode of warfare was particularly common along the Adriatic coast and its backs. The well-known fortified uskok towns were Zengg (Senj), Clissa (Klis) and Оmiš, and in the 17th century wars, the brigandage spread towards the south – to Zara (Zadar) and Šibеnik, to the Маkаrska backs (today Croatia), as well as to Herzegovina and Bоka Kоtоrska.

ART

Folk epic songs of the Uskok Cycle, Ivо Sеnkоvić and the Aga of Ribnik (Ivо Sеnkоvić i аgа оd Ribnikа)Тоdоr of Zadar is Getting Married (Žеnidbа оd Zаdrа Тоdоrа) and many others.

GEOGRAPHY

The Adriatic coast and its backs, Croatia, B&H and Montenegro

HISTORY

Uskоks were also called all those who moved to Clissa after the fall of Zengg 1537.

OUTSTANDING FIGURES

Sеnjаnin Ivо, Sеnjаnin Јurišа, Sеnjаnin Таdiја, Bајо Pivlјаnin, …