Korcula Old Town
Kourcula Old Town
Korčula’s main town is also called KORCULA (pronounced Kohr-choo-lah). The OLD TOWN (Stari Grad) is a small walled peninsula joined to the mainland by a broad flight of steps leading up to the GREAT LAND GATE. From here a broader street leads uphill to ST MARK’S SQUARE, this is the backbone of the town that was built to resemble a fish skeleton. The streets to the left of this one are straight (you can see the sea) allowing the Mistral winds to blow into town. The streets to the right are curved to keep out the Jugo winds. To the south and east of the old town stretch tacky tourist hotels-no need to go there. To the west of town the PUT SV NIK borders the waterfront through some lovely old neighborhoods. You can easily cover the town’s sightseeing in a day.
Apartment Leut, Korcula
Apartment Leut, Korcula
We were thrilled with where we stayed in the heart of the Old Town at STUDIO-APARTMENT LEUT. This delightful second floor apartment overlooks a narrow pedestrian street. With its high ceilings and open plan design there’s a feeling of spaciousness to the place. The little kitchenette is more than adequate for fixing breakfast or lunch. The bed is king-sized and the coach converts to a double bed large enough to accommodate a child. Be sure to patronize Dragon’s restaurant handily located just outside the city walls. Studio-apartment Leut, €55 per night, Žitnica 2, 20260 Korčula, tel: 385 (0)20 715-719, mob 385 (0)91 371-1777, mob:385 (0)91 504-8110 anaglasovac@yahoo.co.uk, Owners Ana Glascova & Dragan Curać.
Sightseeing highlights:
Great Land Gate
GREAT LAND GATE (Velki Revelin): A steep flight of broad stone steps leads up from the harbor to the Great Land Gate the main entrance to the Old Town. Climb the tower to see a small exhibit.
FRANJO TUDMAN SQUARE: Renamed in 2001 after the first president of Croatia. To the left is the is the 16th-century Town Hall and Rector’s Palace and to the right is a tiny church dedicated to St Michael.
ST MARK’S CATHEDRAL (Katedrala Sv Marka): This small town had a bishop for over 500 years hence this beautiful little cathedral. Above the main alter is a Tintoretto painting. On the altar on the left is a statue of St Rok pointing to a wound in his leg-he’s a popular Croatian saint believed to help cure illness. In the main entrance lobby is a statue of St Blaise by Ivan Mestrovic. On the walls are weapons, relics from the battle of Lepanto in 1571.
Cathedral
ABBEY TREASURY (Opatska Riznica): Next to the cathedral in the onetime bishop’s palace has a wide ranging collection of artifacts from St Theresa’s necklace to two tiny drawings by Leonardo da Vinci
MARCO POLO HOUSE (Kuca Marka Pola): Born here in the 13th-century Marco Polo is definitely Korčula’s favorite son. The house that claims to have been his birthplace is in poor repair though the city has plans for a museum. In the meantime you can climb the little tower. On the same street is the Marco Polo Gift shop selling everything Marco Polo. You can have photo taken with the life size Marco Polo and Kublai Khan.
OLD TOWN WALLS: The walls and towers date from the 13th century. In the 19th-century the defenses had become obsolete and the town decided to use the top half of the wall to build new houses thus improving air circulation in the town and creating a promenade. In several places the towers and walls have been reconstructed.
Marco Polo House
Franz Tudman Square
Old Town Main Street
Old Town street
Korcula walls
Korcula walls
