Corcyra Melaia...
The island of Korcula, south Dalmatia, has been continously inhabited since the times of palaeolithic. The Great Cave testifies to this, a preserved archaelogical finding. The current results of excavations lead us to the life of Korcula's Homo Sapiens to a time of even 20.000 years B.C.
According to legend, Korcula was established by the Trojan hero Anthenor in the 12th century BC. The oldest written monument in Croatia, the "Lumbardska psefizma", in Greek, was found in place Lumbarda.
Korcula is one of the most forested islands in Croatia, as much as 61% of its surface is covered with woods and macchia thickets. Indigenous herbs and aromatic plants also grow on the island: sage, rosemary, lavender, mint, irnmortelle... The plants and trees make a splendid green backdrop, which is why the Greeks named it Corcyra Melaina - Black Korcula.
The villagers on the island are renowned olive growers, fishermen, and wine producers. The names of some wines, Posip, Grk and Rukatac with their excellent quality, have been synonymous with the identity of this island in Dalmatia ( have been served during the time of the ancient Greeks )
The town of Korcula, the historical centre of the island, has a very nice location in the Peljesac Channel. It is also known for its outstanding cultural and historical heritage and a long tradition in seafaring, shipbuilding and stone-masonry. It has been justly called "a little Dubrovnik" due to its picturesque squares and medieval atmosphere.
The town of Korcula is the birthplace of the adventurer and traveller Marco Polo, the man who for Europe discovered the Far East, but returned to his native Korcula, its coves and the promontories of the archipelago consisting of 48 islands. In the battle near Korcula he was captured and taken to Genoa and then sentenced to prison. He was in prison because
he wrote the book Milion about his travels to China which caused a sensation in western civilised society as they were brought into shock contact with the Far East. The house in which he was born has been restored and preserved.
A traditional sword dance once spread on the Mediterranean, has only been retained in Dalmatia, in the Town of Korcula. The people of Korcula have been dancing Moreška for full 400 years. Moreska is performed every year on the 29th of July, together with the celebration of St. Todor, but also on several occasions during the tourist season.
The centuries went by, times have changed, but Korcula's people, fishermen and farmen reamined as a constant, able to overlive all challenges, to keep its tradition. Until today, Korcula managed to save its greenery and profumed face of olive trees, vinyards, fig fields, vegetables and citrus fruits. Maritime and shipbuilding are traditions of the whole region.
Back to Destinations
