Korcula is town situated on the protected east coast of the island with same name Korcula in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It is an ancient fortified town with population of approximately 6,000 inhabitants.

Town of Korcula is surrounded by the towers and walls with which town emphasize his strategically role during the history. Historical and cultural features have always been important to the town and Korcula town has always been the administrative and religious center of the island.  With a number of specific features Korcula makes one of the most historical towns in Croatia.

Korcula is notable for its Statute of the town from 1214 which prohibited slavery, one of the oldest legal documents in this part of Europe, and which regulate life in the medieval town which he built by strict regulate medieval urbanism.

The old city of Korcula has its streets arranged in a herringbone pattern allowing free circulation of air but protecting against strong winds. In the strict urban composition, in certain strictly pitches were built houses, palaces and churches decorated with skillfully-made elements of architectural decoration. The town finest examples of residential architecture has been developed in the 15th and 16 century in the typical Gothic - Renaissance style. In the old city center almost every front of the house is adorned with coat of arms. Korcula town was built by masters with stone from island. Equal attention and the arrangement were paid to public areas - squares and streets. Building outside the walls was forbidden until the 18th century, and the wooden drawbridge was only replaced in 1863.

In the past the main island profession was stonecutting and shipbuilding and the glory of it was spread around the world.

The first mention of Korcula town is from the 10 century; however it is still undetermined exact origin of the town. Croats settled town during the 9th century and the town was administered through the various rulers and powers. It mostly changes rulers between Venice and Croatian-Hungarian kings.

Today tourism is most important activity in Korcula, but there is also trade and shipbuilding as well.

What to see in Korcula

The Cathedral of St. Marco

The cathedral was built during the 15th century by local craftsmen’s. It has many amazing works of art and relicts made by Croatian and Italian Renaissance artists.

Church of St. Peter

Situated North from the Cathedral is a small church of and the oldest preserved church in the town from the 11th century in which the Renaissance portal of the master Bonino da Milano is situated.

Church of Our Lady

Built in 1483, the church is the Renaissance work of the local craftsmen’s, where the tombs of the notable historical town families are situated.

Marco Polo House

It is family house of the traveler Marco Polo where he was born in 1254. Several inscriptions and exhibits can be visited there and there is an interesting view from the family tower.

Town Museum

It is situated on the main Old Town square in Renaissance Palace Ismaeli. The Museum displays large number of artifacts from Korcula history.

Forteca - the English tower Fort Wellington

It was built in 1813 on the place of older fortifications; old church was pulled down during the building of the tower. From the English tower a wonderful view extends around.

Dominican monastery of St. Nicola

It was built in 1505, and possesses paintings and other valuable art works and a rich library. The building of the monastery is partly fortified because of several attacks during its history.

From events is worth to mention Moreska tournament game. Moreska is the battle dance played in numerous Mediterranean cities and today only in Korcula and it became a symbol of town.

Visiting Korcula

Korcula Island is well connected by Split and Dubrovnik and other parts of Croatia, you can get there by car from Orebic town on Peljesac peninsula and ferry goes there every hour. It is also possible to use direct ferry line to Korcula from Dubrovnik and Split, and there is also overnight ferry from city of Rijeka. From Zagreb there is a direct bus to Korcula, which takes 10 hours.