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Korcula Attractions
Korčula’s main attraction is the medieval Korčula Town and its walls, where you will find several historic churches, museums, and other points of interest. Korčula Town likes to promote a once-nondescript stone edifice as the birthplace of Marco Polo, but there is no credible documentation that the great explorer ever set foot on the island.
Sword Drama
The Moreška Sword Dance is a 15th-century narrative in motion that tells the story of two kings who compete for the love of a princess. As the story goes, the Black King kidnaps the young woman after she declares her love for the White King, who retaliates by initiating a battle. The kings and their armies then engage in an intricate “ballet” with swords drawn as they “fight” to musical accompaniment. The dance is thought to commemorate a real clash between Christians and Moors, precipitated by the Moors’ abduction of a young girl. The traditional dance is performed by townspeople, usually outside the town walls, every Monday and Thursday at 9pm in July and August; on Thursdays in June and September; several times on July 29, the town’s festival day; and other times when tourist traffic is heavy.
The Rest of Korčula
Beaches, vineyards, and history beckon beyond the city walls of Korčula’s Old Town. Lumbarda, 7km (4 miles) southeast of Korčula Town, was planted with vineyards by the Greeks, cultivated by the Romans, and used as a summer retreat by the island’s wealthy citizens. Today, it is a major producer of Grk, the island’s signature white wine.
Pupnat Harbor and a lazy pebble beach lie about 9km (5 1/2 miles) west of Korčula Town. Beyond that, there’s Smokvica, a village set high above a valley planted with grapes used to produce the local Pošip white wine. Keep heading west and you’ll run into Blato about 10km (6 miles) from Smokvica. The approach is on a wide road shaded by a canopy of arching trees. Don’t miss the town’s pilgrimage site, dedicated to Marija Petković (1892–1966), a daughter of Blato who became a nun and devoted her life to helping others. The Roman Catholic Church beatified Petković in 2002 and she is in the Church’s pipeline to become a saint.
Vela Luka is the last stop in the trek across the island (or the first if you arrive here by ferry from Split). It is 7km (4 miles) past Blato and it’s full of harbor-side cafés and pizzerias. If you’re lucky, you might hear a klapa performance while you break for a snack, as Vela Luka is a center of this Croatian a cappella art.
6 Results
- Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Mark (Katedrala Sv. Marka)
Korčula’s Gothic-Renaissance cathedral is notable for its elaborately carved Romanesque portal, which is topped by a proud statue of St. Mark. Statues of Adam and Eve stand to each side of the door, along with various animals and grotesques. Inside, you can see a Pietà by Dalmatian… - Landmark
Land Gate
The main entrance to the fortified old town, the Land Gate is embellished with a stone carving of the Lion of St. Mark’s (the symbol of Venice) above its arch. The gate is also guarded by the 15th-century Revelin Tower, which houses a small exhibition dedicated to the Moreška Sword… - Historic Site
Marco Polo House
Based on local legend rather than reliable documentation, this old stone cottage, to the right of the cathedral bell tower, claims to be the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo (1254-1324). However, historians are still debating whether or not the one-time captain of the Venetian navy… - Religious Site
St. Peter's Church
You'll notice this modest 14th-century church because of the rope gate and ticket takers outside. In the summer of 2009, an 18th-century statue of St. Peter made by an anonymous Venetian artist was sharing the formerly hallowed space with a bizarre Marco Polo exhibition. Displays of… - Museum
Town Museum
Opposite the cathedral, the ground floor of the 16th-century Gabriellis Palace houses a curious collection of ancient amphorae and stone carvings, including a copy of the renowned 4th-century b.c. Lumbardska Psefizma, a stone tablet recording transactions between Greeks and local… - Historic Site
Treasury
Next to the cathedral, this treasury occupies part of the 17th-century Bishop’s Palace. Inside you can see religious paintings, gold and silver church paraphernalia, and ancient documents and coins, demonstrating the island’s glorious past and former wealth.
