The
town of Korcula, the historical
centre of the island,
has a very nice location
in the Peljesac Channel.
It is also known for its
outstanding cultural and
historical heritage and
a long tradition in seafaring,
shipbuilding and stone-masonry.
Korcula is the birthplace
of the adventurer and
traveller Marco Polo (
visit link about Marco
Polo).
Today, Korcula and Vela
Luka are very important
tourist centres. Tourism
in town Korcula and in
all places on Korcula
island has a years-long
tradition. The first modern
hotel, Korcula, was opened
in 1912, in a building
erected in 1871. Hotel
guests have been enjoying
the sunset at the hotel
terrace for decades, which
is a unique experience
in the early summer. Visitor
opportunities of the island
of Korcula include various
types of accommodation
- hotels, apartments,
campsites, marina; sports
and recreational facilities,
especially interesting
are water sports; organized
excursions and a rich
cultural life and entertainment
programs. Cultural events
of "Moreska" and "Kumpanija"
have become world-famous.
Gastronomic offer includes
famous fish specialities
and exquisite, top-class
local wines (Posip, Rukatac,
Grk, Plavac), due to which
Korcula is also called
"the island of wines".
The local cuisine is also
famous for traditional
cakes and sweets, such
as "cukarini", "krostule"
and "prikle".
Korcula has numerous tennis
courts. Windsurfing and
yachting equipment may
be rented. Interesting
excursions are one-day
or longer sailing or yachting
tours and diving expeditions
led by professional divers.
The most important cultural
event is the traditional
chivalrous game called
"Moreska. The reenactment
of the Moreska, which
means "Moorish," came
to Croatia from Spain
and is believed by some
to be inspired by the
conflict between the Spanish
Christians and the Moors.
It dates back to the 12th
century and is one of
the oldest traditional
European dances still
performed. Sometime during
the 15th or 16th century,
it arrived on the island
of Korcula. Today, Korcula
is the place where dancers
still use real swords
and perform in the original
war-dance form.
The cast includes the
Black King Moro; his father,
Otomanovic; the White
King Osman; the Muslim
maiden, Bula; and both
kings' armies. The Black
King captures Bula and
tries to persuade her
to love him, but she is
in love with the White
King. Dressed in elaborate
black and red costumes,
the two kings as well
as their armies fight
for her. The Moreska is
performed regularly—most
often in the evening under
torchlight—for tourists
and on special occasions.
One of the most important
performances is July 29,
the feast day of St. Todor,
protector of Korcula.
Other traditional feasts
in Korcula include the
carnival, which starts
on the Epiphany, and the
Holy Week, with the procession
of guilds - especially
impressive is the procession
on Good Friday.
Other religious feasts
are the day of Sts. Peter
and Paul (29th of June)
with bonfires, the festivities
of the Assumption of Our
Lady (15th of August)
and the feast of St. Martin,
with baptizing of young
wine (in November). Many
cultural and sports events
take place during the
summer months: music festivals,
theatre and folk music
performances, sports contests,
yachting regattas, etc.
Korcula ACI Marina has
220 berths in the sea
and 100 places on the
ground. KORCULA, a town
and port on the north-eastern
coast of the island of
Korcula, situated on a
small peninsula which
is connected with the
island by a narrow isthmus.
The surrounding coastal
area is covered with pine
forests. East of the port
is a small group of islets.
The climate is mild; an
average air temperature
in January is 11.8 °C
and in July 28.9 °C; the
island is famous for a
long insolation. Economy
is based on farming, growing
of vines, olives and fruit,
fishing, shipbuilding,
stone processing, tourism
and nautical tourism.
The regional road connects
the town of Korcula with
all major places on the
island. The port consists
of the western and the
eastern part. Korcula
Marina is located in a
cove on the eastern side
of the town. Korcula has
regular ferry lines with
the mainland (Korcula
- Orebic).
