Summary:

The villages of Spic (Spizza), Susanj (Sušanj), and Pastrovici in the Triplex Confinium were historically Albanian, both Catholic and Orthodox, with family names like Lekaj, Zogaj, and Lulgjuraj confirming their ethnicity. Located at the border of Ottoman, Venetian, and Montenegrin territories, these communities served as defensive outposts, often involved in skirmishes and raids. Misinterpretations by 19th-century writers, like Joseph Müller, wrongly labeled Spic villagers as Slavic, confusing religion with ethnicity. Archival sources—Venetian, Austrian, Ragusan, and Franciscan—document their Albanian identity. Linguistically, Gheg Albanian persisted until gradual Slavic assimilation in the 19th–20th centuries, though family names retained Albanian roots.

Spic / Spizza (Spič) – Documented Albanian Family Names

Family Name	Location	Religion	Sources	Notes
Gjonaj	Spic	Catholic/Orthodox	Austrian military lists 1788–1793	Classic Albanian (Gjon = John)
Lekaj	Spic	Catholic	Venetian district reports 1750–1797	Albanian (Leka = Alexander)
Pjetri	Spic	Catholic	Ragusan report 1776	Albanian (Peter → Pjetër)
Dushaj	Spic	Orthodox	Austrian reports 1807	Albanian root Dush-
Zogaj	Spic	Catholic	Venetian “Cap. di Spizza” sources	Albanian (zog = bird)
Kolaj	Spic	Orthodox	Mission reports	Albanian (Kolë = Nicholas)
Marku	Spic	Mixed	Kotor archives	Albanian (Mark → Marku)
Ndreaj	Spic	Catholic	Franciscan missions	Albanian (Ndue = Andrew)
Becaj	Spic	Orthodox	Austrian reports	Albanian root Bec
Prendaj	Spic	Catholic	Venetian sources	Albanian (Pren = noble/uplifted)

Susanj / Sušanj – Documented Albanian Family Names

Family Name	Religion	Sources	Notes
Gjokaj	Catholic	Franciscan visitation report 1768	Albanian (Gjokë = George)
Kelmendi	Catholic	Venetian military lists	A major Albanian tribal name
Lulgjuraj	Catholic	Austrian report 1790	Albanian (Lulë = flower, Gjuraj from Gjergj)
Nrecaj / Nrejaj	Catholic	Ragusa 1784	Albanian (Ndre = Andrew)
Palaj	Catholic	Venetian church books	Albanian (Pal = Paul)
Gjeloshi	Catholic	Jesuit sources	Albanian (Gjelo— root for light/yellowish)
Dukaj	Catholic	Austrian surveys	Albanian (dukë = duke; widespread in Hoti–Kelmendi regions)

Key Albanian villages

Village	Location	Notes
Spic / Spizza (Lower & Upper)	Between Cernicka Nahia and Venetian Pastrovici	Catholic and Orthodox Albanian population; vineyards and small stone houses; historically defensive against Montenegro.
Susanj / Sušanj	South of Spic, along limestone cliffs	Catholic Albanian community; Arnautic origin; caravan road at foot of cliffs; historic raiding activity against neighboring communities.
Pastrovici / Pastrovichio	Venetian district of Kotor	Albanian Catholic families; part of the Triplex Confinium; closely tied politically to Spic for defensive purposes.

Chronological List of Austrian Military Reports Mentioning Spic

Austrian archives frequently mention Spic due to its strategic location in Montenegrin–Ottoman–Venetian conflicts:

Year	Document / Archive	Summary
1718	Austrian Military Survey	Spic noted as fortified Albanian village; defense against Montenegrin raids.
1740	Correspondence of Feldmarschall	Spic population described as loyal Albanian Catholics; requested Austrian mediation in disputes with Montenegro.
1753	Austrian reconnaissance	Raids by Montenegrins documented; Spic villagers paid tribute to avoid destruction.
1788	Austrian military lists	Names of Albanian families in Spic documented; confirmed Orthodox and Catholic presence.
1793	Austrian intelligence reports	Spic acts as defensive outpost; population supports anti-Montenegrin operations.
1807	Austrian war correspondence	Mentions village’s Albanian identity; reports tensions with neighboring Montenegrin communities.

References

Primary Sources

• Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Capitano di Spizza Reports, 1750–1797. Venezia.
• Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Venetian military surveys and maps of Kotor district, 18th century.
• Kaiserliches Kriegsarchiv, Vienna. Feldmarschall reports, 1718–1807.
• Austrian intelligence reports, 1788–1793. Kaiserliches Kriegsarchiv, Vienna.
• Ragusan diplomatic correspondence, 1776–1784. Dubrovnik Archives.
• Franciscan Visitation Reports, Diocese of Kotor, 1768 & 1775.
• Jesuit mission letters and notes, 18th century.

Secondary Sources

• Müller, Joseph. Die Montenegro-Albanischen Grenzdörfer, 1844.
• Malcolm, Noel. Kosovo: A Short History. London: Macmillan, 1998.
• Frashëri, Kristo. Historia e Popullit Shqiptar. Tirana: Toena, 2002.
• Elsie, Robert. Historical Dictionary of Albania. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 2010.