Zvërnec

The toponym Zvërnec is derived from the Slavic word zvěr 'wild beast', rendered in Bulgarian as звяр, zvjar and in Old Church Slavonic as звѣрь, zvěrĭ; the ě underwent a sound change into e. The suffix has either an ец, ets or ьн-ец, yn-ets formation.^[2]

During classical antiquity, the coastal area of the Bay of Vlorë, where the present-day villages of Zvërnec and Nartë are located, was inhabited by Ancient Greeks. Since these two villages today constitute the northernmost pockets of Modern Greek speech, Hatzopoulos (1997) raises the question of whether this is a coincidence or whether they represent isolated linguistic relics of the ancient Balaiitai and Horikioi.^[3][4]

The view that the Greek-speaking populations of Zvërnec and Nartë represent an uninterrupted presence from antiquity is rejected by Sh. Demiraj (2010), who argues that this hypothesis lacks linguistic or historical evidence. Instead, Demiraj proposes that their ancestors were relatively late arrivals from the Greek-speaking regions around Arta. He cites anthroponymic data preserved in 16th-century defters, specifically those of 1520 and 1583, which record predominantly south Albanian Orthodox names in Nartë. The personal names also lack the Greek suffix -s and include consonants uncommon in Modern Greek, such as /b/ (e.g., Bogdan, Tërbari). Moreover, some surnames indicate immigration from neighbouring Albanian villages (such as Bulku or Palasa). Demiraj concludes that the question of Greek-language use in the area remains open.^[4]

Kyriazis (2012), however, argues that the 16th-century Ottoman registers also contain evidence supporting continuity and internal differentiation of the population.^[5] He further notes that the absence of the suffix -s does not necessarily indicate a lack of Greek presence, as this omission is common in Ottoman documentation from unquestionably Greek-speaking regions.^[6] Kyriazis additionally remarks that, if the local Greek speech has historical depth reaching into antiquity, it is necessary to investigate when and how northern vocalic features entered the dialect. He suggests that these developments may reflect either later settlement by speakers of northern Greek varieties during the early Ottoman period or internal linguistic evolution.^[7]

Historian Alain Ducellier identified the medieval city of Spinarica with Zvërnec. In 1297, Spinaritza was governed by the dux Kalamanos, a member of the noble Greek Strategopoulos family. In 1301, Andronikos Palaiologos became the governor of the Spinarica district.^[8]

Zvërnec, together with nearby Nartë, forms a Greek-speaking enclave in the area north of Vlorë.^[9][10][11] Speakers of Aromanian are also present in the settlement.^[11]

According to a 2014 state report, the total number of registered citizens belonging to the Greek minority in the area is 900.^[12]

The surrounding region contains extensive salt marshes. The Narta Lagoon, which hosts a distinctive ecosystem, lies north of the village.^[13] Near Zvërnec is the island of Zvërnec, which houses the Byzantine monastery dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. To the east of the settlement there is a lighthouse.^[14][15]

• Fatos Arapi, Albanian writer and translator