at the fall of the "serenissima" (1797) perasto was the last city of the repubblic to lower the venetian flag. on 12 may 1797, the republic of venice ended, but a few places in the albania veneta for several months still continued to remain loyal to the venetian repubblic: perasto was the last place of the republic to surrender. on 22 august 1797 the count giuseppe viscovich, captain of perasto lowered the venetian war-flag of the lion of saint mark pronouncing the farewell words in front of the crying people of the city and buried the "gonfalon of venice" under the altar of the main church of perasto.