Arneri family


The Arneri family were land proprietors & merchant ship owners on the Dalmatian island of Korčula, since the 15th century. Arneri Palace, placed in the Old town of Korčula is built in Venetian Gothic architecture and is one of landmarks of the island. It has a bronze knocker adorning the door representing Hercules swinging two lions by their tails. In the courtyard there is a marble draw-well. It has three pears cut into it. This symbol is the arms of the family.
Andrew A. Paton an English writer spoke to Signor Arneri. Andrew Paton described him as a polite gentleman who had a white neck cloth and a broad-brimmed hat:
The original Patriarch of the clan was called Dobroslav Peruzzi. He had a status of a minor nobleman. It is believed that the clan's Frankish ancestors might have been the Peruzzi family of Florence. Pertaining to their trading links with Western Bosnia and South Central Croatia, and the subsequent abandonment of all trading posts towards the interiors, might have given rise to the hypothesis that the family's origin came from Bosnia. While it is very likely that these activities netted them further titles, the significance of these holdings remain unclear.
In 1420 the family was mentioned in the charter of the town of Korčula as the Duke/Lord of the Manor of Korčula. In 1558 the clan was awarded Venetian holdings on the Island of Hvar, thereby making them Counts there as well. Later, land acquisition in Brač, Split, Trogir, Zadar, Vis, etc. placed the family holdings among the largest in Venetian Dalmatia.
Other noble families of Korčula were Kanavelić, Izmaeli, De Polo, Gabrijelić and Nikoničić.