Discover Korčula™! the island, the people, the experience FREE COPY!

2 Korčula Old Town Discovering this marvelous walled old city and its narrow herringbone streets is a delight 3 Old Town/Island maps There's a lot to see and do on Korčula and it's easy to bike, bus or drive around! 4 History and culture From a 3rdC B.C. Greek stone tablet to the Moreska sword dance, Korčula's cultural heritage is unique. 5 Discover One amazing island! 20,000 years of history Eat, drink and be Korčulanin! This seaside hamlet, surrounded by vineyards, is famous for its beaches and wines A fabled history, rich cultural Korčula's history is extraordinary. Gastronomy is a quintessential traditions, gorgeous bays, lovely Let's begin with Vela Spila (“Big part of being here. Breakfast is just 6 Discover villages, a rugged, wild interior Cave”) overlooking espresso. But come mid-morning, Rugged and wildly beautiful; and some of the best wine where archeologists have it's marenda, a sort of early lunch. stone houses, idyllic streets and Pošip, anywhere on the planet make discovered human artifacts dating The main meal is mid-afternoon. Korčula's signature white wine Korčula a unique jewel among back more than 20,000 years! Families gather to enjoy garden Mediterranean islands. There's so Lumbarda's treasure is its veggies, their own olive oil, grilled 7 Discover Blato much to see and do it really Psephisma, a 3rdC BC stone tablet meat or fish, wine--heaven! Try Blato has history, charm and 40km doesn't matter where you start. in Greek, the oldest written record brodet, a great fish stew; pohana of gorgeous coastline Whether you arrive by ferry or in ! In 1214, Korčula Old hobotnica, fried octopus, goat sailboat to the island's western Town established a Statute cheese in oil, lobster, anything 8 Discover Vela Luka port, Vela Luka; or land at Korčula abolishing slavery—making it the grilled, slow-cooked peka. Grk, Korčula's “Big Harbor”, framed with Town, almost 50 km away, the first town in the world to do so Rukatac and Pošip --the island's magnificent hills, 100,000 olive trees and a marvelous physical beauty here is (only the cities of Venice and terrific whites, or Plavac its red. mysterious 20,000 year old cave! evident everywhere. London did so earlier). Živjeli (“to your health!”) Korčula Old Town the legendary birthplace of Marco Polo is a world of its own

To experience what it must have symbolic not just of Korčula's Three Saints, St. Mark, St. Jeremy been like to enter the Old Town importance but how privileged its and St. Batholomew) but modern during the grandeur of its Venetian inhabitants were to live within. As pieces by Ivan Mestrović, Croatia's rule just walk up the splendid 19thC you begin your walk (use the map most famous sculptor (1883-1962). staircase, over what used to be a on page 3!) notice how the streets Just off the square are 16thC drawbridge and through the on the left, western side are steep? decorative pillars (and another in majestic 14thC Revelin Tower. This draws cool sea breezes into the front of Korčula Town Hall). center during the hot summer-- Designed as city ornaments, they while the streets on your right are include coat of arms carvings of purposely curved to take the chill some of the town's most families. out of the cold northeast winds! Other notable buildings here are the Built on its own, compact oval- 17thC and 18thC Opatska Riznica shaped peninsula, the entire Old or Abbey Treasury, in the Bishop's Town is a remarkable ensemble of Palace, with its collection of 12th to churches, museums and public and 15thC religious paintings, coins, private buildings beautifully pottery, manuscripts and more and decorated with friezes and many The Gradski muzej or Town other adornments. Both artistic and Museum, opposite St. Mark's in the whimsical, the sheer diversity of Gabrieli's palace, a famous Korčula stone carvings and masonry is family representing the cultural, wonderful. Look up, around, under social and economic past of this and inside--doorways, courtyards, historic town. staircases and more to enjoy all of The Three Saints by Tintoretto this frozen beauty. Even the city's And of course, there's Kuća Marka tourist board, located outside the Pola or Marco Polo's House. walls near the sea entrance to the Whether or he was a famous The grand entrance to the Old Town Old Town, enjoys an historical past. explorer or a legend, Korčula Emblazoned with the coat of arms It's inside a 16thC loggia once used proudly claims to be his birthplace. of the Venetian doge and local as a covered rest area as well as Surrounded by the sea, with such Korčulan governors, this stunning place for public meetings and other splendid architecture and history; entrance, flanked with stone walls gatherings. OK, let's continue. As cafes, art galleries and shops, mostly from the 15thC that you pass through the Revelin Tower, picture perfect Korčula Old Town is surround the entire city, was keep walking straight until you come a world of its own! to a small hill—it's the Old Town's LD’s seared tuna with vegetable marmalade main square, called Pjaceta where Seba Design’s stunning filigree jewelry the town's most famous church is, the 15thC Sveti Marko (St. Mark’s Cathedral), built from Korčula limestone by Italian and local masters. The lovely ballustraded bell tower with its ornate cupola as well as the ciborium above the main altar are the supreme works by Korčulan Marko Andrijić. Inside are not only works by Tintoretto (The

Hand-made Korcula filigree jewelry

Our family has been making authentic silver filigree jewelry for three generations here. Each piece is unique—custom orders too. Daily filigree-making workshop to see how this centuries old tradition is kept alive! SEBA DIZAJN Ulica de Polo (under the Marco Polo Tower) in Old Town Korcula, Open 9 to 23 daily We accept credit cards / www.sebasilver.com E: [email protected] / T: +20 715080

2 Discover Korčula / Korčula Old Town The Tourist Board of Korčula welcomes you! For the Korčula Town calendar of events, please go to www.visitkorcula.eu

Korčula Town Tourist Board Turistička zajednica Grada Korčule

Obala dr. Franje Tuđmana 4 20260 Korčula Phone: ++385 (0)20 715 701 Fax: ++385 (0)20 715 866 www.visitkorcula.eu [email protected] twitter.com/VisitKorcula

DiscoverKorčula© 2013 Radionica Ideja, d.o.o.OIB 60557291459. All rights reserved. The publisher does not assume responsibility for any errors or advertising claims. Printed by Slobodna Dalmacija, 40,000 copies. Discover Korčula / Old Town Map For information: [email protected] 3 History and culture from Stone Age flints, sword-dancing and unique gastronomy to a world-class international festival of baroque music

It was during this time that the indefatigable spirit of its natives. importance to Korčula and its "Statute of the town and the island The religious fervor of the Middle people are indelible. Shipbuilding, of Korčula" of 1214 was written. A Ages, for example, gave rise to a for example. Korčulans were famed remarkable document that not only number of confraternities still active for their skill in designing and prohibited slavery but defined the today—the Sasvetani, Mihovilci and building wooden boats with great very nature of Korčulan citizenship Rokovci. With their own churches, strength, grace and utility and even and the independent spirit of the taught their craft as far away as island and the town. But with the North and South America. growing Ottoman onslaught, even In addition to shipbuilding, stone Venice wavered. In one of the many masonry and carving were also an heroic battles still recorded here, integral part of Korčula life There the Korčulans rallied men, women are still some quarries on Vrnik and children to defeat an Ottoman island and in the surroundings of naval armada in 1571, aided by a Žrnovo. And laying up walls without serendipitous shift in the wind that mortar, meja, is still done even wreaked havoc on the Turkish fleet. today. All around the island you can After a brief period of Hungarian- Wonderful local seafood at Konoba Komin see small stone barns called kucice Croatian kings, Venice returned that were made for farm animals. triumphant to rule here and some of which are also museums, Although simple, the skill and The Moreska sword dance throughout until the wars and congregations, these patience required to make them with Napoleon and the fall of the confraternities lead festive often results in some stunning Korčula is still discovering its rich Venetian Republic in 1797. After processions during Easter and on sculpture. Wonderful examples can th historical past. At Vela Spila (“Big St. Todor's Day, the 29 of July. be found in the hills of Forteca, Cave”) in the hills above Vela Luka, Korčula's most famous tradition is Sveti Anton and in Grubinjac. archeologists have unearthed the the Moreska sword dance, a highly One of the island's newest cultural oldest figurine ceramics in southern choreographed dance with real treasures is the Korkyra Europe, more than 20,000 years swords that first appeared in Spain International Baroque Festival, this old! In Lumbarda, a 3rdC BC tablet in the 13thC and spread throughout year from Sept. 6-15th, featuring was found that describes the the Mediterranean. Scholars feel some of the world's most founding of a Greek colony there, the word moreska describes its celebrated ensembles and choirs, the oldest written record roots—the dance of the Moors. principally sponsored by the Lesić discovered in Croatia! The dance recounts a war between Dmitri Palace hotel in Korčula town. Because of its strategic nautical the White King and the Black King. position, Korčula was always a Of course there's a fair damsel, a Lumbarda vineyards (photo: winesofcroatia) prize—first the Greeks, who ruled kidnapping, a daring rescue and the this part of the Adriatic from their U Maje i Tonke’s shrimp, swiss chard and Black King is finally vanquished. stronghold on Issa (present day Vis); tomatoes on polenta Being a moreska dancer is a very then Romans who displaced them; Napoleon, the Habsburgs, the high honor. The costumes are lavish the Ilyrians, the Byzantines; and Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and and handed down from generation beginning in the 7thC, the Croats, Sloveninas and Socialist Yugoslavia, to generation and since the swords Slavs, Avars and Neretva tribes. Croatia finaly became an are real and dancers can easily be The next formative period came independent state in 1991. It's no cut, becoming one is rigorous and when the Venetian princes of the wonder the culture of the island not without considerable risk! Zorzi family governed Korčula reflects both the successive imprint Not all traditions have lasted as long during the tumultuous Middle Ages. of its many rulers and the as the moreska, however, but their Extraordinary Korčulan cuisine Konoba Komin is dedicated to authentic Korčulan cuisine - local produce and herbs, the freshest local fish, fine island wines. Come, experience and enjoy a glorious sunset dining al fresco overlooking the sea on our terrace! And if you like great ‘peka’, just call and we will prepare it to order!

Konoba KOMIN Šetalište Petra Kanavelića 26 Daily, Noon to Midnight Reservations: +385 98 847 057 www.facebook.com/KonobaKomin MC/VISA

4 Discover Korčula / History and culture Discover Lumbarda

great beaches, rich history and Grk and Plavac wines

vegetables, best enjoyed grilled with terrific local fish or even lobsters. And what wine connoisseurs already know is that Lumbarda is where Grk, an excellent white wine produced from the indigenous grape of the same name, is grown. Lumbarda also hosts its own Summer Festival, a weekly series of events that celebrates its customs, dances, songs, crafts, artists, food and wine—be sure to check with the tourist office website for what's happening when you are here!

Lumbarda’s picture-perfect setting, surrounded by vineyards Lumbarda, just fifteen minutes from Lumbarda, a 3rdC BC tablet written Korčula town, is exactly the kind of in Greek documenting the founding laid back seaside village that makes of the settlement, the oldest human it a perennial favorite with written record discovered in Croatia; vacationers from abroad, with a folk traditions and fabulous wine picture perfect landscape, crystal and gastronomy also makes it a clear waters and sandy beaches. perfect day trip no matter where During the Venetian era, bishops you are on the island. The town is Unique Grk grapes The 3rdC BC Psephisma tablet. and nobles built their estates here, also a walking and bicycling lured by the beautiful countryside paradise with a half a dozen walking and life at a far slower pace. paths through lovely countryside Today, it's the sandy beaches at and vineyards; past old chapels and Vela Pržina, Bilin žal and Uvala even the ruins of a lstC BC Roman Tatinja that lure vacationers and villa rustica. The views along the locals alike to enjoy the waterside way are spectacular. A trio of cafes, volley ball and other sports bicycle routes include sweeping and splendid views of the Peljesac views from highest point in the area channel and the Korčula of Baruža, south of Lumbarda, as archipelago. For those who love well as through olive groves and their beaches isolated and wild, along charming village sea roads. head for Lenga Brendana Beach And after all that walking, cycling, which runs all the way from Bilin žal sun and fun, get ready to enjoy beach to the eastern end of the some of the island's best food and island. And its rich history, wine. The local green gardens beginning with the Psephisma of produce a delicious array of

Discover Korčula / Discover Lumbarda 5 Discover Smokvica hidden beauty and glorious nature waiting in the foothills

Pošip, be sure to enjoy Rukatac, an tomato sauce seasoned with olive elegant dry white, and Prošek, a oil. All exquisitely seasoned with sweet dessert wine made from fresh herbs! dried Pošip grapes and best enjoyed cold. The gastronomy focus here is on fresh—not just terrific seafood No mention of Smokvica is complete from squids, fish, octopus, clams without Brna, a pretty little seaside and crabs cooked or grilled, or in town just 4km south It was risotto; but delicious local specificallty developed in the 19thC vegetables like blitva (like swiss as the port for Smokvica so growers chard) mixed with potatoes, broad could export their wine, olive oil and beans, cabbage, gruda (a mix of pine logs for ship building and fire wild edible herbs) and cherry wood throughout the Adriatric. Today it's a magnet for wind surfers and nature lovers who enjoy its bays and surrounding pine forests as well as those who come for its famous mud baths.

The Church of Blessed Virgin Of Purification with the bell tower and the lodge from 1700 dominate the village

Smokvica, located in the very center rocky butte and heavily fortified. To of the island, is hidden in the commemorate its many battles, foothills of Vela and Mala obala. It's mainly against the Ottoman Turks. here where Korcula spreads out to The Smokvica guards even created reveal all of its glorious their own Knight's Sword Dance, nature—deep valleys, soaring hills, the Kumpanjija, which like the Antique wine-making tools, part of the Toreta Winery tasting room in Smokvica meticulously planted vineyards, moreska, is still performed even endless olive groves and narrow, today. And don't miss Smokvica's winding lanes lined with stone Pošip Days which will be organized houses—all the charm and magic from July 27th to August 4th and that makes this part of the the Traditional Brna Festival on Mediterranean so compelling. August 15th in Brna bay--lots of fun One of the island's five oldest with a rope pulling competition and settlements, humans have lived in donkey races. Smokvica since prehistoric times. Village life here is still all about the But despite its bucolic surroundings, land—from producing some of the the threat of attack was ever best olive oil on the planet and present for centuries. To keep watch Pošip, one of the most famous over all the main roads leading to Croatian white wines, to growing the village, Smokvica's most Smokvica Princes, a delicate, thin- important church, the 14thC St. shelled almond whose blossoms Michael's, was purposely built on a welcome every Spring. Besides Wine tasting at Toreta! A marvelous experience surrounded by authentic traditional tools of the wine making craft and the vineyards of one of Korčula's most celebrated wineries. Taste the best Pošip on the island, grown TZ 177x120mm right here in Smokvica, where the varietal originated. Our family- run winery has been producing delicious wines for generations. Come taste, enjoy and bring your favorites back home to enjoy!

Smokvica Center Open daily 10-20 Tel. 385 98 178 2645

6 Discover Korčula / Discover Smokvica Discover Blato

the essence of vibrant Mediterranean life

“munde” – festive carnival dance parties where exceptionally good female dancers get an orange from their partners and if a dancer dances so vigorously that he breaks the wooden floor he gets a new pair of shoes! To enjoy Blato's seaside, the most beautiful view is from the road leading to the southern coast and Blato’s fascinating ethnic museum the picturesque coves of Gršćica, Prizba, Karbuni and Potirna. In front of them is a group of islands with beautiful beaches. On the northern coast, be sure not to miss lovely Prigradica Cove. Blato’s ‘lumblija’ dessert

Dreamy sunny days under the shade of the second largest linden alley in Europe Enjoy Blato’s many beaches With almost 4,000 residents, Blato, town's old loggia, was replaced by a on the main inland road between new one, built in 1700. Besides a Korčula town and Vela Luka, is a real renaissance-baroque citadel there surprise—all the charm of a small are several baroque mansions of Mediterranean village with the style Korčula noblemen and in hamlets and substance of a much larger around Blato, early 13thC churches town. And what a stately as well as an intriguing one-nave entrance—a 1km long main street 12thC Church of Sts. Cosmas and lined with century-old linden trees! Damian in the outskirts of town. The old loggia - where Blato’s nobility and common people used to gather With town boundaries that include Blato also has unusally rich 40km of gorgeous coastline on the traditions. Today there are 15 island's southern and northern different cultural societies and sides--no wonder Blato attracts so associations. Most prominent is the many vacationers! Chivalrous Society "Kumpanjija" The fertile valley between the town (Companions). Their chivalrous and Vela Luka that was once an game called "kumpanjija", regularly enormous lake helped Blato become takes place on the 28th of April, on a highly-successful mercantile St. Vicenza's Day (the town's center, which is reflected by its patroness). The Kumpanjija is also a wonderful ensemble of public and part of the Blato Summer Festival, private buildings and churches. The which includes a re-enactment of oldest structures are the graveyard the 1571 Battle of Giča against the Church of the Holy Cross and the Turks at nearby Giča. Another 14thC church of St. Jerome, colorful event at the beginning of Orignallly from the 15thC, the Lent is the Blato Carnival and the Explore, swim, bike, play, dine, shop, enjoy Blato! Discover our fascinating cultural and historical heritage; experience our many festivals; enjoy the smell of pine and the sea along one of our hiking or bicycle trails; swim in a gorgeous cove; taste our wonderful food and wine! The Tourist Board of Blato January to May, October to December: Monday to Friday Trg Dr. Franje Tuđmana 4 June & September: Monday to Saturday / July & August: Monday to Sunday (the big white stone building, Tel: 00 385 20 851/850, Fax: 00 385 20 851/241 town center next to PBZ bank)

[email protected] www.tzo-blato.hr Facebook/Blato Korčula Tourist Board Facebook/Visit Island Korcula

Discover Korčula / Discover Blato 7 Discover Vela Luka a gorgeous harbor, great hills, and a mysterious 20,000 year old cave!.

Vela Spila, at the end of the BluePath, is 20,000 years old and still being explored! One of the reasons Vela Luka is such planted along the path. It's so steep Another treat is Vela Luka's drama evenings and music concerts a popular nautical and tourist and narrow up here that the Summer Program--over 50 nights of by famous Croatian artists. In the destination is its beautiful location thousands of olive trees all around cultural and entertainment! beginning of August, there is a nestled at the end of a well you must be picked and hauled Highlights include the Kumpanjija traditional Carnival night, Eco-etno protected, deep bay framed by down by hand! Just 5 km. from the Folklore group; sword dancing and evening and an International Jazz magnificent hills; dotted with red town are some fine beaches like klapa harmony singing on Festival. It's no wonder the town is tile roofs; endless olive groves and Gradina, whose well protected Wednesday; classical music concerts full of song, theater and dance lush pine forests. As the "western" beach is perfect for children. Even in the Atrium center and traditional throughout the year. Vela Luka is point of entry for ferries from Split closer is Gabrica and Picena and the fisherman's nights on Friday in the the perfect bookend to Korčula's and other locales, the harbor is also lovely, secluded beach on Proizd town center. On weekends there are Old Town - a lively place filled with humming with pleasure craft and island.On the wild side is Martina exhibitions by renowned artists, people who love living here and fishing boats. In the center of town bok, a rocky beach with big waves sharing it with visitors! is St. Joseph's but it's just one of and a nearby camp where you can Lovely Proizd island beach more than 15 churches here for you play tennis and other sports. Vela to discover. For a glorious sunset Luka is also the island's artists and and panoramic view of the bay and musicians colony. Along with offshore islets, be sure to take the graphics, paintings and stunning almost-completed BluePath walk archeological treasures, the town's from the center of town that winds Center for Culture also has a pair of its way all the way up to Vela Spila, sculptures by Henry Moore. Two of the Big Cave, a continuously Croatia's most popular singers also inhabited human site that's more hail from Vela Luka, Oliver than 20,000 years old. The walk is Dragojević (so famous that his beautiful, with a variety of albums and performances are just Mediterranean aromatic herbs called Oliver) and Jasna Zlokić. Welcome to Vela Luka, a celebration of culture and history! A nautical paradise, a mysterious 20,000 year old cave, the island's center for art and music, wonderful beaches and welcoming people! Enjoy Vela Luka, a celebration of history and culture!

Vela Luka Tourist Board Obala 3. br. 19, on the waterfront Daily during June-August, Weekdays and Saturday off season Tel.fax. +385(20) 813 619 / e-mail:[email protected] / www.tzvelaluka.hr facebook:Vela Luka Tourist Board, Visit Island Korcula

8 Discover Korčula / Discover Vela Luka