KORCULA
The largest of the archipelago 48 islands cover an area 279,3 km2. The Illyrians were the first to settle in this area, although legend has it, that it was founded by one of the heroes of the Iliad – predecessor, a hero from Troy. W I w. p.n.e. the settlement was occupied by the Romans, and after the fall of the empire, the Venetians began to exercise power over the island intermittently. W XIV c. here the reign of the Bosnian king Tvrtek I reached. Only in 1944 r. the island was liberated from German occupation and became part of Yugoslavia, and finally Croatia. The inhabitants of Korcula are famous for their rich musical traditions, several popular Croatian singers come from here.
The town of Korcula is situated on a small one, mountainous peninsula, ejector in the Adriatic Sea. It is typical, a Dalmatian town with round defensive towers and red-roofed houses, forming a tight building. Contrary to Turkish cities, such as Mostar or Sarajevo, Korcula was under the Venetian rule from the 14th to the 17th century. Venetian influences are clearly visible in the city, especially in the cathedral square.
It is much cheaper on Korcula than on the island of Hvar, and there are also many attractions, which can attract tourists. It is worth planning a minimum 4-day stay on the island, to avoid paying 30% more for a shorter stay in a private room and see as much as possible. From here you can go on day trips to Orebic, Mljet, Lumbardy, Badija and Velej Luka.
Orientation
The large Jadrolinija ferries arrive just outside the old town walls. Passenger ferries from Orebic also drop off tourists close to the center in the old port, while car ferries go to Bon Repos in Dominće, a few kilometers southeast of the city. There is no left luggage office at the bus station.
Information
Turist Biro is close to the old town. American Express is represented by the Atlas travel agency. It is not easy to find e-mail (with payphones), which is located next to the stairs that lead up to the old town. Korcula area code: 020.
Sightseeing
In addition to hiking along the old city walls or walking along the seashore, the city tour focuses around the cathedral square. In the Gothic cathedral of St.. The brand features two paintings by Tintoretto (Three saints in the altar and the Annunciation from a pin).
It is worth visiting the vault in the Abbots' Palace from the 14th century., standing next to the cathedral. The City Museum is very interesting, which is located in the 15th-century Gabriellis Palace opposite the cathedral and contains Greek and Roman ceramics and household utensils. It is believed, that in 1254 r. it was in Korcula that Marco Polo was born. For a fee, you can enter the tower of the house, in which he was supposed to be born. There is an Icon Museum in the old town. There is not much to see there, but visitors are allowed to enter the beautiful, old church of All Saints.
Organized trips
Marko Polo Tours agency (tel.715400) organizes excursions to the island of Mljet and guided tours of Korcula (obie 20 $), as well as hiking. You can also rent small motor boats here too 35 $.
Accommodation
Campsites – Autocamp Kalać (tel.711182) lies behind the hotel Bon Repos, near the harbor for car ferries to Orebic. There are no cabins there, but it is close to the beach. The second campsite is called Vrbovica (tel.715311).
Hostel – The TSC Badija hostel is located on the islet of Badija near Korcula (tel.711336).
Private accommodation – Via Turist Biro (tel.711067) and Marko Polo Tours you can find rooms in the city for the price 13, 18 i 25 $ for single and double rooms- and triple in low season; in July and August Fr. 50% more. Some room owners await those arriving by ferry offering exorbitant rental prices. If their proposed rates are higher than these, with which you came into contact, look for rooms at agencies (but remember, that they can add up 30%, if the stay is shorter than 4 days).
In the city itself, you will find many houses with sobe or zimmer signs. It is best to stay in one of the houses by the coastal road, north-west of the old town.
Hotels Korcula Hotel category B (tel.711078), on the Peljesac channel on the edge of the old town, offers 22 rooms only- and doubles in prices 43 $ i 53 $, with breakfast included in the price (30% more in VII-VIII). It happens quite often, that all seats are taken. At the Bon Repos hotel (tel.711102), located above a small beach, the rooms cost money 33 $ i 44 $ for one and two. The bus to Lumbarda stops in front of the hotel.
Gastronomy
The charmingly decorated restaurant Adio Mare, right next to Marco Polo's house, serves fresh fish in a large selection. In the restaurant Grill Planjak, between the supermarket and the Jadrolinija office in the city, you can eat good chickens and steaks, local cuisine: resin, kebabs and burgers, and drink a huge mug of draft beer. You can also come here for your morning coffee. Another nice place to have a coffee is the terrace of the Korcula hotel.
Entertainment
In the period from May to September, every Thursday at. 21.00 Sword dances in folk costumes are held at the old town gate, the so-called. mereske (7 $ – tickets can be purchased at the tour desk). The Liburna Cinema is located behind the Liburna Restaurant, near the bus station.
Journey
Bus – Buses run daily between Dubrovnik and Korcula (113 km, 6 $), a 4 times a week between Zagreb and Korcula (24 $).
6 daily buses provide connections between the town of Korcula and Vela Luka (48 km, 1,5 time., 2,50 $). Buses to Lumbarda leave every hour, except Sundays (7 km, 0,35 $).
Prom – Getting to Korcula by ferry is very simple, because Jadroliniji ferries operate between Split and Dubrovnik, they dock at the marina next to the old town. With too much wind in the eastern harbor, the ferry will land on the west side, in front of the Korcula hotel. If you were not going to stop at
Korcula, it is the first glance of the marina that will make you, that you will regret it. Tickets for car ferries can be purchased at Jadroliniji's office (tel.715410) or at the tourist information office (at the same prices). The ferries usually leave Korcula around noon (round-trip).
You can travel by passenger ferry from Orebic to Korcula (it does not sail on Saturdays and Sundays, 15 min, 1 $ one way), who lands next to the Korcula hotel, right under the old town towers, or by car ferry, which sails to Bon Repos, a few kilometers outside the city. The former is better, if you are looking for private rooms, but if you want to pitch a tent or stay in a hotel, better take the other ship, who lands next to the Bon Repos hotel in Dominće.
Lumbarda
At distance 15 min bus ride from the town of Korcula, near the eastern tip of the island, it is picturesque, the small town of Lumbarda. Nice beach is on the other side of the vineyards, behind the supermarket. The area around the lighthouse, at the eastern end of Korcula it belongs to a secret military base and foreigners are not allowed there.
Hotel Lumbarda staff (tel.712602) helps in finding private rooms. Several campsites are on the road next to the hotel.
The name Grk, which is carried by dry white wine from the Lumbarda area, comes from Greek settlers, who founded the Korkyra Melania colony (Black Korcula) w IV w. p.n.e.