Vuco Cernizza

Vuco Cernizza or Vuk Črnica-Orlandić (Alb: Vuk Cernica) (Croat: Vuko Černica or Vuka Crnicu) (d. 1671, Zadar) was an Albanian Colonel and nobleman living in Zadar who originated from a refugee family who had fled from Šestani, Shkodër, to Venetian Albanian. Cernizza is mentioned in 1620-22 fighting with Gjergj Gjini, and in 1636, Cernizza is mentioned as the commander of the "Natione Oltamini", a company of Albanian soldiers. Sometime during this period, Cernizza is reported to have rented a merchant ship and signed a contract with the commander and patron Zuanne Zolman. Cernizza had six daughters and one son. Cerrniza succeeded commander Delimarcovic after he had been killed in July, 1653, with the title of collonelo delli Nationi Crovata, et Albanese (commander of the Croats and Albanians). In 1657, Cernizza fought with commander Stjepjana Nikole in the defence of Kotor against the Ottomans.

In 1647, Cernizza was employed as an officer in Budva, and previous to that he had been in the Venetian military on armed boats. In 1622, he was an officer under Gjergj Gjinis company. On February 23, 1647, the Venetian Senate appointed Cernizza as the governor of Pastrovici. On October 14, 1634, the Venetians granted the island of Pontadure to Vuko Cernizza, who purchased it a few years later, making him the governor with an annual pay of 200 ducats. The Serenissima granted the family privileges as they had freed the island of pirates. Cernizza also fought in the Cretan War and in 1647, the Montenegrin clans appointed him as their governor in order to negotaite with Venice. Cernizza died in 1671 in Zadar.

Vuk Cernizza belonged to the group of Albanian families of Orlandic, Cruta (Krutaj), Ginni (Gjini), and Scurra (Skuraj), who fled Ulcinj during Ottoman invasions and who turned to Venice with lifelong services. There is certain unclarity regarding Cernizza's origin with historians arguing if he was Albanian, Croatian or Montenegrin.