History of Komiža

Komiža is a younger settlement than nearby Vis, and its name probably comes from the expression Com Issa, which means "next to Issa". The oldest written record of Komiža dates back to 1145, although it is likely that the settlement existed even earlier, with a Benedictine abbey at that time. During the Venetian Republic, Komiža belonged to the Hvar municipality and developed rapidly thanks to fishing. The fish catch was so rich that it enabled the construction of churches, defensive towers and large stone houses. In the 19th century, under Austrian rule, Komiža became an independent municipality and an important island center. At the beginning of the 20th century, it had almost 4,000 inhabitants, a well-maintained port and several fish processing factories, the most famous of which was Fratelli Mardešić. After World War I, a period of economic decline began. Although Vis belonged to the Kingdom of SHS, the rich fishing areas around Palagruža ended up under Italian rule, which hit Komiža's fishermen hard. Many then left the island and moved to California, where they continued their fishing tradition. World War II brought new changes. After the Italian capitulation in 1943, Vis and Komiža became an important stronghold for partisans and allied forces. A military command and an allied airport operated on the island, and the people of Komiža actively participated in the resistance. After the war, the island was declared a military zone, which interrupted the development of tourism and economic life. Komiža lost its status as a municipality and the ferry connection with Split, and the population decreased. Changes came only after Croatia gained independence. With the departure of the army in the early 1990s, the island opened up to the world again. Komiža regained its status as a municipality in 1993, and became a city in 1997. Today, it relies on tourism and the legacy of its fishing past, which continues to shape the identity of the place.