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KORCULA ISLAND The town of Korcula is one of the best preserved medieval
towns of the Mediterranean and a traditional tourist and cultural center of
the island of the same name. Korcula is connected with Europe and the world by ship and ferry lines, roads and airports in Split, Dubrovnik and Zagreb. By Ship: Rijeka – Split – Korcula By Ferry: Orebic – Korcula By Bus: Zagreb – Korcula Korcula is included in the programs of several European travel agencies and in all more important itineraries of the leading companies for Mediterranean cruises. By its natural beauty and the indentedness of its coast, Korcula is one of the most attractive islands of the Mediterranean. The overall island coast is 182 kilometers long with 195 unspoiled bays and promontories and the Korcula Archipelago boasts 48 islets. A mild Mediterranean climate allows swimming all the year. The refreshing summer wind, the “maestral” soothes excessive heat and offers ideal possibilities for sailing and windsurfing. The mean air temperature in January is never lower then 10°C, and in July it does not go above 30°C. Korcula enjoys, on average, 3000 hours of sun per annum . One of the greatest advantages of Korcula as a tourist resort is unspoiled quality and clearness of the sea which surrounds it. The transparency of the sea water measured by Secchi’s beach reaches 21 meters.
Korcula is the island with the most abundant vegetation in the Adriatic, and it is a kind of ecological Eden of the Mediterranean. It is covered by hundreds of sorts of aromatic Mediterranean plants and dense woods, which gave it the name Korkyra Melaina (Black Korcula) in the classical past. One of the most wide-spread forms of vegetation on the island is the holm-oak (Quercus llex), the basis of Korcula shipbuilding throughout the ages. The trees of olive and southern fruit trees are not only the natural decoration but also a source of economy for the island population. Korcula is the town in which the past is alive today. Numerous building and monuments, from the “psephism” of Lumbarda, the oldest inscription in stone in this part of Europe, to the Korcula cathedral, bear witness to the various civilizations which have been interlaced on this island: Greek, Roman, Illyrian, Croatian, Venetian. The Korculans were and have remained seamen, shipbuilders, builders, fishermen, stone-cutters and artists, vine and olive cultivators. The Korcula Statute from 1214 is one of the oldest legal documents in this part of Europe and it confirms the continuity of civilizations in these areas. The tradition of Korcula “brotherhoods” and their spectacular procession began in 1301 already and has remained untouched up to the present time. The islet of Vrnik, is widely known for its deep quarries, which date back to Roman times. The Doge’s Palace and many others buildings in Dubrovnik as well as buildings all over the world (such as Aja Sofia in Istanbul) were constructed from the clean, white stone of Vrnik. East of the town of Korcula lies the biggest and the most beautiful island of the Korcula Archipelago, Badija with the Franciscan monastery and the church from the 14th century. The legendary traveler, explorer of the Far East, skilful tradesman and diplomat at the court of Kublai Khan, Marko Polo, was born in Korcula in 1254, while he was captured and imprisoned by the Genoese in the naval battle before Korcula between Venice and Genoa on September 7, 1298. Korcula has maintained the tradition of performing knightly games. The best known is the “moreška”, a spectacular dynamic fighting dance with swords which has been performed in the town of Korcula for more than four hundred years. As well as the “moreška” the island keeps two other knightly games alive: in Vela Luka, Pupnat, Cara, Blato, and Smokvica, the “kumpanjija”, and the “moštra” in Žrnovo. These are also war-dances with swords accompanied by the melodious music of bagpipes. The Festival of Sword Dances tales place in Korcula every year in the summer season, and the Moreška once a week. Žrnovo is well-known for its centuries-old cypresses, terraced vineyards, stone houses, bell towers of Žrnovo churches, olive groves, rustic dwellings in the fields, and pretty bays: Žrnovska Banja, Orlanduša, Gostinja Vala, Rasohatica, Pavja Luka which offer a choice of memorable holidays in comfortable apartments and villas. Racisce is a settlement in a beautiful bay where the Korcula Channel meets the Peljesac Channel. According to a sailor’s legend it was originally called “The Bay of Rescue” as it offered a refuge to the sailing ships during stormy weather. Today the people from Racisce are well-known seamen. Kneža near Racisce also offers ideal possibilities for vacations. Pupnat is one of the oldest settlements on the island of Korcula, dating back as far as the time of the Illyrians. The traditional aspect of this picturesque place has been exceptionally well preserved. A smaller, scenic road leads from here to Pupnatska Luka, without doubt the most beautiful bay on the entire island. Cara is situated above the plain of Cara, known for its famous white wine pošip. The small church from the 14th century – “Our Lady of Cara in the Field”, has a rich marble altar and a bas-relief of Nottingham alabaster depicting the scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary, and is the best-known pilgrim’s shrine on the island.
Excursions: Riviera: An afternoon trip by boat around the Korculan archipelago, and a visit to the tourist resort of Lumbarda, well-known for its sandy beaches and the famous white wine Grk. Sightseeing of the island of Korcula: Dubrovnik: An excursion to visit one of the most beautiful and ancient walled cities of the world and sightseeing round its historical monuments and buildings. Fish picnic and smaller trips: Folklore evening:
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