Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
48 <strong>dubrovnik</strong> neretvA CountY<br />
Korčula<br />
Korčula, birthplace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> renowned traveller, Marco Polo, is<br />
a compact jewel <strong>of</strong> Venetian architecture surrounded by <strong>the</strong><br />
clear blue waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pelješac channel.<br />
Korčula town, alongside Dubrovnik, is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Adriatic towns<br />
which hits <strong>the</strong> news from time to time with reports <strong>of</strong> rich,<br />
famous and notable types who buy up old town properties for<br />
heart-stopping sums. There is good reason for this – <strong>the</strong> tiny,<br />
almost circular old town occupying a rocky promontory is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most perfectly preserved and most romantic historic<br />
towns you’ll ever see with many opportunities for shutterbugs.<br />
It doesn’t take long to wander through <strong>the</strong> atmospheric<br />
streets, where you’ll come across gothic details and balconies<br />
that make you feel like you’ve entered a Slavic version <strong>of</strong><br />
Romeo and Juliet. Pay attention to <strong>the</strong> hidden architectural<br />
delights, such as relief figures on <strong>the</strong> Ca<strong>the</strong>dral <strong>of</strong> St. Mark<br />
and, as rumor has it, <strong>the</strong> interestingly sculpted menu <strong>of</strong> an old<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>l near <strong>the</strong> main entrance. Visit <strong>the</strong> town <strong>museum</strong> and<br />
<strong>the</strong> local galleries within a casual morning stroll.<br />
Frank Therond<br />
All in all, it’s well worth a few day’s stay and a perfect place<br />
to recharge your batteries. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r most prominent<br />
features <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> island is its folk tradition which includes<br />
<strong>the</strong> Moreška, a dance with swords, which you can witness<br />
from time to time during <strong>the</strong> summer months, heralded by<br />
drumbeats as a parade <strong>of</strong> citizens in historical costume<br />
passes through prior to <strong>the</strong> performance.<br />
With such material, Korčula has a long tradition <strong>of</strong> tourism<br />
and is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more commercialised <strong>of</strong> Croatia’s Adriatic<br />
towns, so <strong>the</strong> town itself gets pretty busy during high season.<br />
But this is a relatively large island, <strong>the</strong>re are plenty <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
places to explore and get away from it all. As with any island,<br />
<strong>the</strong> perfect way to explore is to rent a scooter or bicycle from<br />
any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tourist agencies in town. Head towards <strong>the</strong> village<br />
<strong>of</strong> Lumbarda where you’ll find picturesque vineyards. You must<br />
try <strong>the</strong> Grk wine, only produced in <strong>the</strong> surrounding area, and<br />
said to have been brought from ancient Greece after <strong>the</strong> fall<br />
<strong>of</strong> Troy. Wander <strong>the</strong> stone streets <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old village and feel<br />
miles and centuries away from everything else.<br />
Tourist information<br />
Korčula City Museum<br />
i<br />
Trg Sv.<br />
Marka, tel. (+385-20) 71 14 20, gmkorcula@du.t-com.hr<br />
QOpen 10:00<br />
- 14:00. Closed Sat, Sun.<br />
Korčula Tourist Board Obala dr.<br />
Franje Tuđmana 4, www.visitkorcula.<br />
net.QDecember - March 31 Open 08:00 - 14:00.<br />
Closed Sat, Sun. April - May 31 Open 08:00 - 15:00.<br />
Closed Sun.<br />
www.inyourpocket.com<br />
Dubravka Žaja<br />
Dubrovnik In Your Pocket <strong>dubrovnik</strong>.inyourpocket.com