Original scientific paper

Count Alexander Sapieha of Poland and Dubrovnik

Vesna Čučić

Abstract

The article traces the activities of Count Alexander Sapieha of Poland (1773-1812), polyglot, traveller, and natural philosopher, and his visit to Dubrovnik in 1804-1805. As a devoted Polish patriot, Sapieha advocated the restoration of the Polish state within the unity of the Slav peoples and with their support. Guided by this idea, he embarked upon a journey across the South Slavic countries. In Bosnia and Dalmatia he tended to make contacts with the Orthodox, maintaining relations with the leaders of the first Serbian uprising. Sapieha stayed in Dubrovnik for almost four months, during which he reported on the political situation, but also on the Ragusan past and customs. He acted as a double agent of France and Russia, having made contacts with the Russian consul Fonton and Marko Bručre, vice consul and son of French consul. The Polish count associated with the Francophile Ragusan patricians - Antun Sorgo and Tomo Bassegli, who was in the midst of writing his treatise on the reform of the Ragusan society. Sapieha’s ties with Dubrovnik continued well after his departure from the city. When Sorgo moved to Paris and was appointed Republic envoy to France in 1806, Sapieha helped him establish political contacts. After his death, Sorgo and Bručre kept in contact with Leon, Sapieha’s son, and Adam Czartoryski, his son-in-law.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

11631

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/11631

Publication date:

23.5.2004.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.236 *