Belgrad on the Bodensee

We previously mentioned Belgrad on the coast of the Bodensee (Lacus Veneticus aka Lacus Moesius or Mursianus?). Here is a 19th century map showing the same. Now, the Serbian Belgrad came under the Habsburgs in the 18th century so could this be related? It seems the earliest mention of the town is from 1794.

As one of the commenters below notes, Belgrad (White Town) on the above map is next to Schönengardt (Pretty Town) which has a, strikingly corresponding – though not exactly the same – meaning.

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that Belgrad could be read to have the same meaning as another “White Town”, that is, Vindobona. Vindobona was, of course, supposedly the Celtic town whose name in Suavic would be Belgrad/Białogród and which refers to Vienna (Czech Wídeń, supposedly itself from Vindobona). Of course, the area in question is not exactly close to Vienna but it was the site of the Roman war with Vindelici.

Of course, Belgrad is not the only Suavic sounding name in the area. We have:

  • Grod
  • Kremle, originally, Cremln
  • Bettnau, originally, Betnów
  • Hattnau, originally Hattenów
  • the regional center Lindau was first registered as Lintowa
  • Schreckenmanklitz, Ruppenmanklitz, earlier Manklitz or Mantlis
  • Reutenen, earlier Rútinen (compare Ruciane)
  • Reutin, but earlier Rúti but too Rúty
  • likewise Oberreutin, earlier Obrarútinen as well as Obrorúty and Unterreute, earlier Niderruti or Niderreuttin
  • Köchlin, earlier Kechli but elsewhere by Beuron you have a similar Koechlin in a land register
  • Scheffau, earlier Scheffów
  • Schmallenberger, earlier Smalinberg
  • Schönau, earlier Schönnowe
  • Edelitz, earlier Medelitz
  • Itzlings, earlier Izilinz, Yczlins, Nytzlis but also Mitzlitz, Mytzlis
  • Menzen, earlier Menzin
  • Scharfentöbele, earlier Töbelin
  • Schache, earlier Birscachin
  • Rehlings, earlier Röwlin
  • Schweinebach, earlier Swinobach, Swinibach

Of course, most or even all of these may not be of Suavic origin. Nevertheless, it would seem that serious study of the matter might be worthwhile here.

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July 5, 2023

3 thoughts on “Belgrad on the Bodensee

  1. Maciek P.

    On the map you posted, there is still Schönengardt to the right of Belgrade!
    A quick comparison from the district of Lindau, which I would also include in these considerations!
    Landkreis Lindau

    Gde. Bodolz
    Enzisweiler: ~1150 Anslechiswilare (Anslechi-s-wilare)
    Mittenbuch: 794 Mittin-bach
    Gde. Gestratz
    Horben: ~1218 Horwen, ~1300 Horwin
    Lengersau: 1364 La[e]ngersowe
    Schweineburg: 1234 Swino-burc
    Gde. Grünenberg
    Laubenberg: 1241 Loubin-berch
    Gde. Hergensweiler
    Mietzlings: 1360 Vtzin
    Stockenweiler: 1255 Stokkin-willer, 1294 Stochin-wilar
    Volklings: ~1290 Volchilins, ~1340 Völklins, 1605 Völckhlis, 1837 [!!!] Völklings
    Gde. Große Kreisstadt Lindau (Bodensee)
    Hoyren: 1278 Horai
    Oberreitnau: 805 Rettinauwia, 807 Retinauvo, 1274/75 Superior Raitnǒwe
    Schönau: 1356 Scho[e]nnow
    Unterreitnau: 1274/1275 Inferior Raitnǒwe
    Gde. Maierhöfen
    Kitzensberg: 1431 Kytzisberg
    Scharfentöbele: 1439 Töbelin
    Schweinebach: 1345 Swino[!]-bach, 1371 Swini-bach, 1380 Swinen-bach, 1552 Schweinen-bach
    Straß: 1395 Strass
    Gde. Oberreute
    Beule: ~1300 Bollin
    Gde. Röthenbach (Allgäu)
    Bauschwanden: ~1290 Burswandin, ~1300 Burswandon
    Giesenberg: ~1290 Gizin-berc
    Schmallenberg: ~1290 Smalinberg
    Gde. Markt Scheidegg
    Scheffau: 1338 / 1520 Scheffǒw
    Gde. Sigmarszell
    Widdum: ~1340 Widma
    Gde. Stiefenhofen
    Hopfen: ~1290 Hophin, ~1320 Hophun
    Stiefenhofen: [883-890] Stivunhovar-o marcha
    Gde. Maierhöfen
    Gschwend: 1250 Geswendi, 1363 Gieswende
    Gde. Wasserburg
    Selmnau: 1336 Selbenǒw, 1444 Selmow
    Hengnau: 1415 Henggnow
    Hege: 1284 Hegiv, 1372 Hegow
    Hattnau: 1344 Hattenǒw
    Gde. Markt Weiler-Simmerberg
    Bremenried: 1200 Preremin-reit
    Krähnberg: 872 Chregin-berc
    Gde. Weißensberg
    Rehlings: 1494 Röwlin
    Weißensberg: ~1250 Wiszins-berg, 1264 Wintzins-berg

    Reply
    1. torino Post author

      Thanks, yes, added some of these to the post

      Schönengardt is interesting right next to its potential namesake

      Reply
  2. Jarowit

    “Boden” itself could be betatism of Voden/voda. The city of Bregen/Breg/Brzeg is further evidence.

    Reply

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