Korcula Island
General Information
 The island of Korcula is one of the biggest and most populated island of Dalmatia, the Mediterranean region situated in the Adriatic sea. It is the southernmost island of the Adriatic Middle-Dalmatian islands, and as so is the whole region part of the State territory of the Republic of Croatia. It has a surface of 276 square km, is 46,8 km long with the wides part being 7,8 km. The east side of the island is only 1270 m far from the land and peninsula Pelješac, whilst the west side ranges deeply into the Adriatic Sea. Along its shore there are 50 smaller islets.
The majority of inhabitants live off tourism and agriculture (vines, olive-trees, vegetables and citrus fruits). A minor part makes a living by sailing around the seas of the world (maritime and shipbuilding are traditions of the whole region and by other activites). The Island of Korcula is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic sea. It is also one of the most popular travel destinations in this part of Croatia.
Like most of the Croatian islands, the Greeks, who gave it the name Korkyra Melaina or "Black Corfu” for its dark and densely wooded appearance, first settled Korcula. The island itself is rich in art and culture, as well as beautiful nature such as numerous tiny and secluded beaches and bays, small and uninhabited islands and breathtaking views. The main town on the island is also named Korcula. It is a typical medieval walled Dalmatian city, with its round defensive towers and cluster of red-roofed houses.
 Marco Polo (1254 - 1324) the famous world-traveler and writer, as well as a Venetian merchant, is reputed to have been born in Korcula. In the old town of Korcula where his supposed house of birth is located. Besides Marco Polo, Korcula has a long art and cultural tradition, including museums, galleries and festivals. The sword dance Moreska, is world famous folk drama / dance, which used to be played all over Mediterranean it is now only performed in Korcula. Korcula has a lot to offer to a visitor to see and learn - its art and history, its culture, traditional crafts and skills of stone masonry and shipbuilding, sword dances, music, writings as well as its most famous inhabitant - Marco Polo and his heritage, besides all the natural beauties, views and beaches.
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Vela Luka
 Situated on the western side of the island of Korcula (Croatia) in a large bay dotted with many tiny islets and surrounded by tranquil inlets, Town of Vela Luka is an oasis of Dalmatia and Mediterranean influences: mild climate, unpolluted sea and air, olive groves, fig trees, tuneful melodies.
Vela Luka is surrounded by the richness and beauty of Nature. It is the 2nd largest settlement on the Adriatic islands, a safe harbour for seafarers.
The cultural identity of Vela Luka arises from the traditional merging of man and nature. A few kilometers from the center of Vela Luka we find traces of early human settlement at the "Vela Spila" cave. Archeological finds from Vela Spila can be viewed at the Cultural Centre in Vela Luka. Also view the numismatic collection and the only Henry Moore sculpture in Croatia.
The traditional Vela Luka Festival in July and August offers many concerts, exhibitions and presentations for you to enjoy.
The Regatta in honour of St John on the 24th June should not be missed.
A few minutes walk from Vela Luka you will find your own private pebble beach, far from the everyday stresses of modern life. The smells and beauty of the Adriatic will ensure an ideal holiday for the body and soul. You will get a taste of Dalmatia in one of the numerous restaurants and taverns specializing in seafoods.
Mild Mediterranean sun, clear night skies, azure sea of Proizd, perfume of pine trees, the cicadas of island Osjak, Dalmatian choral songs and friendly hosts will ensure a holidays you will never forget.
*Apartments for rent in Vela Luka
Blato
 With its harmonious urban whole, Blato aroused interest of a number of travelogue writers as early as the 18th century. The centre of the town features a nice line of lime-trees, stretching for more than 1 km, providing a unique experience in June, when lime-trees are blossoming.
The most beautiful view on Blato and its surroundings is offered from the road leading to the southern coast, where many accommodation facilities are located. These are the picturesque coves of Grscica and Prizba, Karbuni and Potirna. In front of them is a group of islands with beautiful beaches. On the northern coast is the Prigradica Cove with a nice harbour.
The inhabitants of Blato have always cherished their tradition and culture, which is substantiated by the existence of 15 cultural societies and associations.
The most prominent is the Chivalrous Society "Kumpanija" (Companions), established in 1927. The chivalrous game called "kumpanija", is one of the most interesting traditions in Blato, and regularly takes place on the 28th of April, on St. Vicenza's Day (patroness of the town), whose bones were relocated to Blato two centuries ago by consent of the Pope Pio VI.
Kumpanija is a chivalrous fight between two armies showing their readiness to defend their home, as a memory of distant centuries when the defence of the island was in hands of the island defence unit called "kumpanija" (Companions). Upon consent of the local head, the leader of soldiers, so-called "kapitan" (Captain) starts with the sword dance in several dance figures. An especially interesting part is the role of "alfir" (standard-bearer), dancing with a large flag. After the end of this chivalrous game, the soldiers may dance with girls (dance called "tanac"). Kumpanija is accompanied by bellows and a big war drum. The thousand-year-old custom of sacrificing an ox was abandoned several decades ago. The game takes place in front of the church of All Saints, on the so-called "plokata", in a suggestive ambience, where also other feasts and events are held.
BLATO, a town in the interior of the island of Korcula (4-odd km from the coast), 7 km southeast of Vela Luka. It lies on the eastern edge of the Blato field. Economy is based on farming (Mediterranean crops). The chief arable land is the Blato field, which has been dried (water has been taken into the Bristva Cove by a tunnel). Most of it is under vineyards. Blato is the econ-omic centre of the island, located on the regional road Korcula - Vela Luka.
*Houses and apartments for rent in Prizba *Apartments in Grscica
*Summer houses in Prigradica *Accommodation in Karbuni
Smokvica
 Smokvica is one of five old settlements on the island of Korčula where people have been living from prehistoric times up to now. It is situated in the central part of the island underneath the sloping and curving hills of Vela and Mala Obala. The town of Smokvica lies on the widest part of the island and this is the spot where the landscape happens to be the most diverse, offering thus the excellent communication among the residents during prehistoric era. Smokvica is sheltered from the north winds by several rocky cliffs stretching from the east to the west and it is open towards the south along with the sun and the sea; therefore the winters are unusually mild and warm.
The district of the Smokvica municipality comprises the settlements of Smokvica, Brna, Istruga, Vinačac- Bogujina and Blaca and the municipality border coincides with the margin established in the land register of the Smokvica community (article 2 of the Community Statute) .
In the district of Smokvica the largest fields, fertile valleys could be found. It also abounds with forests, hills, meadows and grazing land.Throughout the centuries the people of the island of Korčula were involved in agriculture, particularly in wine growing.
Čara
 763 inhabitants) is simared on the main island road, 25 km from Korcula. The village has a mysterious name (Cara - Charm) and is one of the oldest settlements of the Island. The parish church of Saint Petes in the middle of the village was mentioned in 1415, and the most valuable painting in it is the famous altar painting Christ with Desciples by Leandro Hassano. Next to she church, there is a neither old cypress which is protected under Croatian laws for the preservation of nature, though ir is not protected from thunderstorms which reduced it to only a remnant of a big tree.
Opposite the church, on the road, there is a monument to the legendary brothers Crnomiri. Under the leadership of Petar Crnomir, they offered resistance to the Venetian duke, who was extorting tribute in the 11th century. The duke captured and executed Petar, but the brothers and the whole village rose up, defeated the duke's soldiers and killed the duke as an evil-doer. This legend has survived for centuries and lives still in the minds of peasants from Cara. The Church of Our Lady in the Field lies in the beautiful Field of Cara on the way to the bay of Zavalatica. It was built in 1329 and reconstructed in the 17th century.
Pupnat
 Hidden in a valley between high hills, Pupnat is a very pleasant and interesting tourist destination. It is the starting point for a number of interesting walking tours: to the peak of the island (Klupac, 568 m), to the village of Racisce on the northern coast, to the Zukovica valley on the southern coast, and to the town of Korcula, by a prehistoric walking path (3 hrs).
The major feast day in Pupnat is Our Lady of the Snows (5th of August), when, apart from a religious feast, entertainment and cultural programs are organised; the votive festivities of Bl. Mark of Pupnat start on the 24th of August. The ancient chivalrous game "Kumpanija" has recently been restored.
Žrnovo
 Folk festivals are held in Zrnovo, and the tradition of "new theatre" is also cherished. In front of the church of St. Roch (Rocco) (16th of August), the Mostra takes place - a fencing combat through which contestants defend their homes and elect a village king - according to the Statute from 1620. This ancient game is performed by two armies and accompanied by the sounds of the bellows. The performance of ten different dance figures with swords is followed by a public feast and dance. According to the Statute, an ox had to be offered as sacrifice at the end, and its head was cut off with a heavy sword. However, in recent years, this part of the tradition has been omitted.
Near Zrnovo is the protected locality of Kocje with interesting rock formations.
Račišće
 Račišće is a small seaside place on the Island of Korčula , and has a population of Approximately 450 inhabitants. It is situated in the bay towards outermost part of the Pelješac peninsula. It is only 12 km away from the town of Korčula , and it is ideal place for all the people who planned quiet vacation and want to enjoy in the nature and clear sea, far away from the every-day city chaos.
Kneže are situated 2 km from Račišće, on the way to Korčula. For all those interested in sightseeing the island, they can enjoy the vineyards located in the stony heart of the nature, where the famous crops of Pošip vine are cultivated, and the same name exquisite wine is produced from it. You can sense the history through fortification walls and old town centre of Korčula or even find the reasons why Vela Luka was song glorified, on the west part of the island and much places to discover.
*Apartments for rent in Racisce
Lumbarda
 Lumbarda is a small place on the eastern cape of the forested island Korčula. It is an interesting picturesque and unspoiled landscape, a fragmented coastline and crystal clear sea surrounded by sandy beaches which is a rarity on the Adriatic Sea, a rich history preserved in written documents dating back to more than two thousand years ago, close to the beautiful town of Korčula, shady olive groves, excellent wines from wine sorts which cannot grow anywhere else, preserved traditional customs, cuisine specialties… and above all – a hospitable inhabitants.
Lumbarda was in the past a countryside location for Korčulan bishops and nobility, while today it breathes a rural pleasantness. It is located by the sea coves and on the hill slopes surrounding the valley dominated by the vineyards. It can be reached from Korčula situated 6 six kilometres away by road which passes through the olive groves and pine forests. In Lumbarda live 1200 inhabitants who have been involved in winemaking, fisheries and stonemasonry for centuries. Today they are hosts to many guests who seek a summer of peaceful and secure rest.
Bathers are attracted to the sandy beaches and archipelagos of twenty or so small islands close to Lumbarda. The landscape is full of Mediterranean plant aromas, pines and salt, while a pallet of sea colours of turquoise, white sands and rock, green pines and silver-green colours of aloe. Above the exotic region, with the sounds of sea-gulls and the noises of waves under the MAESTRALOM, radiates the warm sun which refreshes the spirit and body.
Gourmands are attracted to the local specialties prepared by the fresh fruits of the sea and the Lumbardian gardens. Wine lovers who know their wines come from afar to Lumbarda in order to taste the grk, the white wine produces from the native grape of the same name.
Guests can obtain information on customs, songs, trades, artists, cuisines and local wines from the “Lumbarajske užance”, performances and events which make the evenings in Lumbarda unforgettable.
*Apartments in Lumbarda
Korčula
 The City of Korcula is the tourist, economic and cultural center of the island of the same name. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. The city is situated at the traffic intersection of the island, and it has been attracting travellers and colonists of all times. The antic writers refer to the city as the stone city by the name of Korkyra Melaina, founded by the Greek colonists. Following the Greeks, Illyrians, and Romans, in the 9th century, Croats colonized the island and the city of Korcula, abode and now are the only population of both the city and the island.
The Statute of Korcula, one of the oldest legal documents in this part of Europe, was adopted in the year 1214. In the same century, Marco Polo (1254 - 1324), the legendary traveller and globetrotter, explorer of the Far East, skilled merchant and diplomat at the court of Kublai-Khan was born in Korcula, in the year 1254. His birth house still stands in Korcula. Beside the remainders of the Romanic style, the dominant in the architecture of Korcula are the Gothic and Renaissance styles applied in the final phase of construction of the city walls and towers.
The sites worth seeing in Korcula are the City Museum, Treasury of the Abbots, collection of icons, picture galleries and old church buildings where the priceless works of art made by famous masters, from Leonardo da Vinci to Jacoppo Tintoretto, are kept safe. The impression with Korcula could not be complete if we did not mention the old play of knights called Moreska, the spectacular combat dance with swords.
*Apartments for rent in Korcula town
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