Mariano Bolizza or Marijan Bolica (fl. 1614) was a Venetian nobleman in Cattaro (Kotor), who wrote the Relazione e descrizione del sangiacato di Scutari ("Relations and Description of the Sanjak of Scutari") in 1614.
Contents
Biography
Bolizza was born in Kotor, at the time part of the Republic of Venice (now Montenegro). A member of the Bolizza family, his ancestor and family progenitor was Zuane Bolizza, mentioned in 1538. The Bolizza were central in ensuring the safe transport of correspondence between Venice and the Ottoman Empire. They had received an exclusive contract after the Battle of Lepanto (1571). Family heads were often appointed vice-proveditors of Cattaro. His brother was Francesco Bolizza.
Work
A public servant of Venice, he was assigned to provide information on the Sanjak of Scutari, a paper known in Italian as Relazione e descrizione del sangiacato di Scutari. He delivered his documents at Venice on May 25, 1614. The Sanjak of Scutari included the vilayet of Montenegro, which paid an annual tribute. The work contains the earliest description about the people and geography of modern era Montenegro.