by Xhoni Qoku. Translation Petrit Latifi

Summary

In 1637, archival records from Palmanova Castle document the presence of three young Albanian soldiers in the service of the Venetian Republic, all of whom were baptized that year. All three were part of the Albanian infantry companies, a regular military formation serving Venice in the 17th century. The church records explicitly note their conversion to Christianity, the assignment of new names, and their military status. The original documents also list the godparents and officials who oversaw their baptisms.

Three young Albanian soldiers in the military service of the Republic of Venice in 1637

In 1637, in the strategic Palmanova Castle, archival documents attest to the presence of three young Albanian soldiers in military service and baptized in the same year:

Demo from Vlora (Albania) – around 20 years old, baptized with the name Marco Valiero

Ali from Bastia (Albania) (Sajavë, Çamëri) – around 24 years old, baptized with the name Alberto Badoaro

Ali from Tunichio (Albania) (Turriq – Kalasë, Delvinë) – around 17 years old, baptized with the name Giovanni Paolo del Monte.

All three, originally from Albania, were part of the Albanian infantry companies (Infanteria Albanese), a regular Albanian military formation in the service of the Republic of Venice in the 17th century. The original church document clearly attests to their religious conversion, change of names and military status.

Original transcription in Italian

Attesto io for Bianchi, Pievano di Palma, d’haver battizati nel Duomo di Palma il giorno di S. Giustina, 7 ottobre dell’anno presente 1637, li infrascritti Turchi, cioè:

Demo, figlio di Muschio, pure Turco, della terra di Valona in Albania, et di donna Salla, Christiana, d’età d’anni 20 circa; et nel battesimo se li è posto nome Marco, che poi si è cognominato Valiero, for being stato levato dal Sacro fonte dall’Illustrissimo et Reverendissimo Sig. Bertucci Valiero, Generale in detta Fortezza; et fu da comare l’Illustrissima Sig.ra Beatrice dal Monte.

Alì, figlio di Abdi della Bastia, terra in Albania, et di donna Elena, Christiana, d’età d’anni 24 circa. Al battesimo se li è messo nome Alberto, che si cognominò poi Badoaro, for esser stato tenuto al Sacro fonte dall’Illustrissimo Sig. Gianfrancesco Badoaro, Treasurer in questa Fortezza; et comare fu la predetta Illustrissima Sig.ra Beatrice del Monte.
Alì, figlio di Mustafà di Tunichio, in Albania, et di donna schiava Christiana, d’anni 17 circa; li fu posto nome al battesimo Gio: Paolo, che si cognominò poi del Monte; et furno padrini l’Illustrissimo Conte Ottavio di Porcia et la medesima Illustrissima Beatrice del Monte. Et tutti 3 sono soldati in queste compagnie d’Infanteria Albanese. In quorum.
Palma, li 28 Novembre 1637.
Il medesimo Pievano di mano propria.

Full translation

“I, Father Bianchi, parish priest of Palma, testify that I baptized in the Cathedral of Palma, on the day of Saint Justine, on October 7, 1637, the persons described in the document as “Turks” (Muslims, Albanians), namely:

Demo, son of Muschiò, described in the document as “Turks” (Muslim Albanians), from Vlora in Albania, and of Mrs. Salla, a Christian, about 20 years old; at baptism he was given the name Marco, and later took the surname Valiero, because he was raised from the holy spring by the illustrious and highly honored Bertucci Valiero, general in this fortress; the godmother was the illustrious Beatrice dal Monte.

Ali, son of Abdi from Bastia, a place in Albania, and of Mrs. Elena, a Christian, about 24 years old. At baptism he was given the name Alberto, and later took the surname Badoaro, because he was kept in the holy spring by the illustrious Gianfrancesco Badoaro, treasurer in this fortress; the godmother was the same illustrious Beatrice del Monte.

Ali, son of Mustafa of Tunichio, in Albania, and of a Christian slave woman, about 17 years old; at baptism he was given the name Giovanni Paolo, and later took the surname del Monte; the godmothers were the illustrious Count Ottavio di Porcia and Beatrice del Monte.
And all three are soldiers in these companies of the Albanian infantry.
Palma, November 28, 1637.”

The same parish priest, with his own hand.

Note: The translation has been carried out with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been carefully revised; any remarks from scholars of language and paleography are welcome.