Visit to Korcula
Accessible from several points, this fantastic island is a must see, forbidden to miss, Korcula is a place to visit and to go, or a place to stay and…to rest.
Maybe the most cozy place we visited in Croatia, this small town has something special that captivates the visitors. The slow rhythms of life, the omnipresence of the sea, and the fondness to its history make a positive blending that remains in our memories when leaving.
The Island
As you approach the harbor, the forested coast starts showing some spreading houses, giving life to the island, and, with their modern architecture, creating the contrast that “explodes” before you, when the boat circles the remaining towers of the old town. Very nice view from the sea!
Old Town
It’s easy and a pleasant experience to walk across the old town.
The area is small, almost flat, the narrow streets provide good shadows, and the interesting details are everywhere.
Saint-Marc Cathedral
Dominating the old town, this church from the XVI century, combining gothic and renaissance elements, hosts works from Tintoretto and Bonino da Milano.
One interesting detail is the Saint-Roch chapel, built one century after the church but very well integrated.
Venetian buildings
Differently from other places in Croatia, here the history seems to have passed without big conflicts.
The great influence is from Venice, and we saw no mixed styles, nor the signs of making and remaking that impressed me in Zadar and Split, for instance.
The place evokes tranquility and calm.
Marco Polo’s house
One of the highlights of the island is the house where Marco Polo seems to have lived.
For the moment it is only a ruin, with the recuperation works disturbed by the flocks of tourists that constantly invade the place.
So far, nothing in particular to see, just a detail in the walk across the small city.
The Fortress
The ramparts were destroyed in the 19th century, but some towers and doors survived, contributing for the magical beauty of the site. Don’t miss the small beach opposite to the harbour, not far from it.
Restaurants
Restaurants
We had lunch in a small restaurant of Korcula, testing the guide’s lesson explaining us that the streets were broken in angles in the sea side, to cut the freezing winds in winter, and straight inland side to allow the flow of refreshing summer breezes.
We were cool, in the esplanade, but the lunch was banal. Nothing to remember nor complaint. However, descending to the walls by the sea, we discovered a long series of restaurants with excellent look, and, competing door to door, they must have a good quality-price ratio.
Next time…
Crafts from Korcula
Crafts from Korcula
Commerce is not very intense in the island, but around the fortress it’s easy to find many shops and stalls, more dedicated to tourists than to locals. If buying a souvenir is important, there is a large choice, from the “local” artefacts made in China to the real ones.
