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The loss of Cyprus in 1573 meant that
Candia became the principal
supplier of salt in the
Serenissima .
The construction of new
salt-works ,
the restoration of old works fallen into decay, and especially the
increase in the power of provisioning were some of the principal tasks concerning
Venetian Provveditori :
this was continually confirmed by the deliberations of the
Senate up to the eve of the war for Candia. The control of salt-works therefore
followed strategic, commercial and military principles, but which also created
a further reason to involve subjects in Venetian administration and thus create
bonds of loyalty. In this regard Giacomo Foscarini was particularly
distinguished in interpreting the orders issued by the
Serenissima .
Maps and drawings in compendia of scholarly anecdotes, historical accounts,
and official despatches from Venetian representatives describe this complex
network of relationships. An example is the drawing of the small fortress of
Suda ,
which dominated the bay of the city of
Chania ,
by Zuan Mormori, son of Giacomo, captain of the
'stratia' ('militia') of
Candia. This dates back to 1595, the year the Senate awarded the salt-work
construction concession to Todarin Lombardo and his sons, in exchange for
providing the capital with a certain quantity of this essential product.
A detailed map of the bay of Suda, dated c. 1660-1670, depicting the coast,
the city of Chania, and the surrounding villages of Santo Spirito, San Lazzaro
and Sant'Antonio, shows us the spread and distribution of salt-works, which by
that time had been the island's principal activity for a century. Similar
development was also taking place on the fortified island of
Spinalonga .
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