Korčula is a island of the Adriatic Sea pertaining to the Croatia.

Welcome with Korčula!

Korčula (in Italian Curzola ) was rested by the Greeks at fourth century BC ( Corcyra Melaina ). The fortress of the city, this jewel built with stones coming from the close island, Vrnik, took its current form with 14th and 15th centuries. Works of famous artists of the Croatian culture, like Marko Andrijić, Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin, Ivan Progonović, are neighborly with those of the Tintoret, Tiziano Aspetti, Leandro Bassano and others still. With the collections of objets d'art, they decorate the city. These were a long and enthralling historical course, which led until today, Korčula, the city and the island of the Adriatic Sea.

By leaving the town of Korčula, true museum in the open air and birthplace of Marco Polo, one finds the rich person greenery of the island, the villages of wine growers, producers of fisherman and olive oil. The most famous products of the island are the wines - impetuous red (Plavac) and white enjôleurs (Pošip, Grk and Rukatac) - and it olive oil pressed like formerly. In the evening, after a bathe in a clear and moderate water which surrounds the fifty islands and small islands of the archipelago of Korčula, the visitors of all the horizons can appreciate the dances of combat of swords, Moreška and Kumpanija, memories of the last centuries.

Today, Korčula is the most populated island Croatia, an island of merry and good people - alive. That made more than 100 years that the visitors furrow the island; tourism is there, so to speak, a tradition.

Historical study

  • III {{E}} /III - rich person discovered inside caves, mainly in the cave of Calved Špilja with Vela Luka, testify to a Neolithic culture and contacts to the island with the other areas to the the Mediterranean

  • IIe/II - the tribes illyriennes populate the island. The gradine , fortresses in height preserved until our days, as from others archaeological discoveries go back to this time
  • sixth century BC - the First Greek colonization. The island was baptized Corcyra Melaina ( Melaina meaning “dark, black” was to be used to differentiate Korčula, rich in vegetation, of Corfou which named also Corcyre
  • fourth century BC - the Second Greek colonization. The Psephis de Lumbarda, a engraved stone, is the oldest monument of Croatia, and was preserved until our days. This stele testifies to the declaration of the legislative assembly: on the foundation and the construction of the city, on the division of the grounds between the colonists, on the will of a common life in peace with the Illyriens resident in the island.
  • 229 av. J. - C. - Korčula - Corcyra Nigra or Korčula the Black one, passes for the first time under the domination of Rome. The tribes illyriennes threatened peace, with a succession of campaigns of war against Rome, which managed these attacks with more or less success.
  • 35/34 av. J. - C. - the Roman military chief Octavien - the future emperor Auguste - attacks and occupies Korčula illyrien and lets put at dead or reduce to slavery totality population of the island. The destruction of the State illyrien took place under the reign of this emperor. The Adriatic littoral becomes, at that time, a territory attached to the Roman province of Illyricum.
  • 476 after J. - C. - With the fall of the Roman Empire of Occident, Korčula finds, into 480, under the regency of the king ostrogoth Théodoric
  • 5th century - the old church on the small island of Majsan is the oldest testimony of the Christianisme in Korčula
  • 535 - Korčula, constituent part of the province of Dalmatie, passes under Byzantine regency , during the reign of the emperor Justinien
  • 8th century - the tribe Neretljani colonizes Korčula which takes the name of Krkar
  • 925 - Establishment of Tomislav, the first Croatian king
  • 945 - the Byzantine emperor Porphyrogénète compiles a document on the Croatian city of Krkar during his stay on the island
  • 948 - the Venetian ones pay a tribute with the Croatian kings to be able to sail along the Coast Adriatique
  • 1000 - the doge Pietro II Orseolo of Venice occupies Korčula. Thus the era of Venetian regency starts, with, until in 1420, alternation of periods of regencies Croatian, hongro-Croatian, zahumlje and Bosnian
  • 1125/1180 - Korčula passes by again under the regency of Venice
  • 1214 - the statute of the city and the island is inaugurated Statuta and light civilitatis and insulae Curzulae': deliver and legal charter concerning the life, the regency of the city and of the island, autonomy of the community
  • 1254 bases - Marsilius Zorzi, noble Venetian, seizes the power and reinforces in 1214 the statute granted the inhabitants of Korčula. This period of hard Venetian regency until in 1358
  • 1254 - the large traveller and Venetian explorer, Marco Polo, were born in Korčula

  • September 7th 1298 - an important naval battle between the fleets of Genoa and Venice proceeds with the doors of the town of Korčula. The Venetian fleet is overcome. Marco Polo is among the prisoners. It will be released, in 1299, against the payment of a strong ransom

  • 1300 - Creation of évêché of Korčula
  • 1301 - Creation of the Confrérie of the All Saints' day
  • 1420 - 1797 - longest of the periods of Venetian regency
  • 1483 - Korčula is attacked by the Neapolitan fleet of the king Ferdinand Ier of Aragon and Sicily. Korčula is defended with heat and gains
  • August 15th 1571 - the day before the battle Lepanto, an imposing Turkish fleet under the command of the viceroy of Algérie, Euldsch-Ali (Ulus-Ali) attacks Korčula. The Venetian adviser (the Tale or knez) and the troops of mercenaries flee the island, but Korčulanais themselves, prepared by the priest Antun Rozanovic, decide to defend their city. This countryside was crowned success. This great victory is regarded as one of the most important historical chapters of the city and the island
  • 1529 - the great epidemic of plague makes devastations among all the population of the city and the island
  • 1637 - Birth of the most famous poet and actor of the period Baroque of Korčula, Petar Kanavelic (deceased in 1719)
  • 1797 - Napoleon conquers Venice
  • 1797 - 1805 - the Austria seizes the power
  • 1805 - 1813 - the France seizes the power: construction of roads and fortresses
  • 1805 - 1806 - Korčula is attacked by the Russian fleet
  • 1813 - 1815 - Korčula passes under the supervision of the British Marine
  • 1815 - 1818 - Korčula, part constituent of the Kingdom of Dalmatie, is allotted to the Austrian Crown
  • 1828 - the diocese of Korčula is removed following the abolition of the Archbishop's palace of Dubrovnik
  • 19th century - “Rebirth of nationalism in Dalmatie”. The political life in Dalmatie, as in Korčula is characterized by a very strong desire of unification of the Dalmatie with the Croatia. Contrary to this idea of a Croatian nation, the separatists are who militate for the interests of the Italian State in Dalmatie
  • June 20th 1866 - a great battle, close to the island of Vis, between the Austrian fleet, under the command of the Admiral Tegetthoff, and the Italian fleet, ordered by the Admiral Persano, ends in the defeat of the latter. It is the end of any political ambition of the Italy with regard to the areas of the Adriatique Is. Many sailors of Korčula took part in this battle
  • 1871 - After the local elections, the commune of Korčula passes under Croatian supervision. The years which follow see the creation of Croatian religious organizations. The teaching of the Croatian progresses, etc
  • 19th century - Korčula loses much of its strategic influence with the decline of Venice and the decline of the traditional trades. The emigration of many manufacturers of ship and stone masons begins
  • October 29th - November 15th 1918 - After the fall of the Empire Austro-Hungarian, Korčula is attached at the new State created by the Slavic people of the south: the “SHS” (State of the Sloveniens, Croats and Serb), resulting from the old Kingdom of Austria. Because of the Italian and Hungarian threat and a weak interior policy, State “SHS” is linked with the Kingdom of Serbia, thus creating the Yugoslavia (known as the first). The Serb dynasty Karađorđević ensures of it management
  • November 15th 1918 - April 19th 1921 - First Italian occupation. Resistance of the inhabitants of the island against this occupation
  • 1921/1941 - (First Yugoslavia) Beginning of the largest wave of emigration of the island, following an epidemic of Phylloxera (louse on the vine stocks) and of the economic crisis and social. The population of certain villages is reduced by half. Parallel to the rise of the dissatisfaction with the people, political resistance increases towards the Serb Royalty and the terror which it spreads.
  • April 6th 1941 - September 13rd 1944 - For Korčula, the Second world war starts with the invasion of the Yugoslavia with the Italian and German troops. The Italian army occupies Korčula, which becomes annexed at the Italian State. On the island, a small unit of in favor organizes resistance against this Italian occupation. During this time the majority of the combatants, who joined the brigades of Tito, is in the mountains, on the continent. Many refugees coming from the continent arrived at Korčula. Among them, 700 Jews will remain on the island, until the Alliés occupy the south of the Italy, where they will go then. After the fall of the Fascistic mode in Italy (September 13rd 1943), Korčula is free until the December 22nd 1943. After fierce combats, the island is invaded by the German troops. It is in April 1944 that the fight for the release begins from the island. This fight will end only with the retirement of German, in September 1944. Korčula was cruelly reached by this war: 651 combatants died. One counts also 336 civilian victims, without speaking about the damage caused with the installations, constructions, materials…
  • 1945/1965 - Creation of the Second Yugoslavia. The reforms of structure according to war and naval construction do not give sufficient work to all. The lack of employment, the disappointed aspirations and hopes are the cause of a persistence of the emigration, mainly towards the Australia and the New Zealand.
  • 1965/1990 - the development of tourism with the construction of modern and comfortable hotels, and the convenient development of other economic sectors, stop the emigration and the population starts again to grow. Korčula profits from progress and the prosperity which seems with the range of all
  • 1990 - the contradictions lived in Yugoslavia - a sole party, a saving in type Socialiste, the paramount role of the Serb politicians within the Federal government - bring a capital change in the life of the Croatia and thus for Korčula. In April 1990, at the time of the |first elections multi-party, majority which is those choose a parliamentary Démocratie, for an market economy and an opposition to the Serb prevalence.
  • May 19th 1991 - 93% of the Croatian citizens vote, at the time of a national referendum, for the sovereignty of the Croatian Republic. The war against the Croatia begins the same year
  • Automne 1991 - while preparing with its defense, Korčula becomes the refuge of some 10.000 people coming from the close areas. In November 1991, an attack against the fleet of JNA, carried out successfully from the island, destroys the blockade of the sea routes of the Dalmatian archipelago. The soldiers of Korčula, helped of other Croatian combatants, stop the projection of JNA close to the town of Ston (on the peninsula of Pelješac) and with the south of the Croatia.
  • 1991 and 1995 - the inhabitants of Korčula as well as the people who found refuge there, were not forgotten. The assistance in the form of drugs, of foodstuffs, clothing and technical equipment of all kinds, arrived at Korčula by various means. Thanks to these gifts, the surgical military hospital of Korčula could open its doors and save the life of many casualties and patients.

Geographical characteristics

  • Situation : Archipelago of the southernmost Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea 42o 58 ' NR; 17° 08 ' E (town of Korčula), distant from 1270m of the continent, with 49 marine miles in the North-West of Dubrovnik (Raguse), with 57 marine miles in the south-east of Split and with 250 marine miles of Venice and Corfou (Corcyre)

  • Size : 276 km ² (the 6th island of Croatia by its surface)
  • Length : 47 km
  • Width : 8 km
  • Extended from the littoral : 182 km
  • Number of islands composing the Archipelago of Korčula : 50
  • Depth of the sea around the island : from 20 to 70 m
  • maximum Altitude : 568 m - Natural peak of Klupca
  • of the ground : hone calcareous, dolomitic and marly
  • Paysage : mountainous island strewn with many small fields
  • Current sailors around the island : 1 to 2 nodes; in the channel of Pelješac up to 3 nodes
  • Salinity : 38 grams per liter of sea water
  • Snowing up : 2 to 5 cm the every 3-5 years
  • Water : no source nor river
  • Winds : in winter prevail especially the hot and wet wind - Jugo (Sirocco) - blowing of south-east, and the cold and dry wind - Bura - blowing of the North-East. In summer, most frequently, they are refreshing mistrals coming from the North-East as well as many thermal winds.

Population, language, economy

The island of Korčula counts 17038 inhabitants divided mainly in 9 great centers and several small villages. the town of Korčula (3 232 hab.) is the historical center, cultural and political as well as the historical port of the island.

The other large localities - Blato (4 093 hab.), Smokvica (1 175 hab.), Čara (763 hab.), Pupnat (461 hab.),] (1 267 hab.) - were established inside the island to ensure the safety, to facilitate defense and to allow the development of agriculture. They were well later that the coastal localities as Vela Luka (4 464 hab.), and Račišće (446 hab.), as well as the old village of Lumbarda (1 102 hab.) developed on the littoral is and western. More recently, in bond with the large villages of the center the island, of the localities developed on the coast: Prigradica and Prižba belongs to the commune of Blato, Brna that of Smokvica, and Zavalatica that of Čara, while the Banja is attached to Žrnovo.

Today, the island is divided in five administrative centers: the Communes of Calved Luka, of Blato, Smokvica, Lumbarda and the the town of Korčula (integrating the small boroughs into the east of Smokvica). These centers are attached to the administrative unit southernmost of the country, that of Dubrovnik - Neretva.

As of prehistory the men populated the island. In Antiquity the Illyriens were established there. The first Greek colonies arrived on Korčula around IV E the Romans were also present until the fall of the Empire. Slavic , tribe of Neretljani, lived the island as of the 8th century. They dislodged the Roman population resident gradually.

The current population is with 92  % of origin Croatian and thus speaks this language. Between them the inhabitants of Korčula speak a mélodieux dialect and very original: southernmost Croatian tchakavien is mixed there with remainders of Greek, Roman and Venetian language and words of the vocabulary of international sea transport. Korčulanais live since always in harmony with nature. Contrary to people of the cities, the cardinal points “is and western” are not called thus. They are named according to the movement of the sun: ground oriens (raising it) and ground occidens (laying down it). Like truths Aquarius, they divide the world in “sea” and “end” (dry land). Between them, they are greeted with exclamation Veselo! (“Would be merry! ”, but the direct translation would be “joyeusement! ” - veselo is an adverb). Relative the great population density (62 hab. with the square kilometer) - largest of the Croatian islands - is explained by a very good economic development. The traditional trades were preserved. Tourism was developed satisfactorily, so that at the end of the 20th century, the exodus could be stopped.

Korčulanais can receive a professional training on the island. Indeed, in addition to one network of elementary schools, Korčula, Blato and Vela Luka is equipped with colleges with mainstream educations and professionals and professional training centres. There is no illiteracy on the island and the majority of the inhabitants understand and speak several languages. Like traditional trades, one finds naval construction, the vine growing, the culture of olive, fishing and navigation. The stone size, which occupy approximately 50 more islanders, and the forestry development are sectors which lost the importance that they had formerly.

In addition to the hotels (oldest to 1912 goes back) the first tourists profited from rooms from hosts in the farmers, an old form of the country holidays Ainsi all the inhabitants of the island could benefit from this basket.

Naval construction “wood” which represented the most important industry of the island at the Hellenic period was reinforced by naval construction “steel” (Korčula and Blato) and out of synthetic material (Vela Luka). The Korčulanais sailors are recognized as navigators as well under the Croatian house, as under that of other nations. Other small industries also exist on the island as a chalk factory, a factory of clothes industry and a manufacturing workshop of electrical equipment. Korčula is, moreover, one of the most important areas of culture of the olive-tree and production of oil in a hurry in a traditional way. The olive oil is one of the most known products of the island. Of memory of man, the wine was always the symbol of Korčula. We can today taste the red wines of the vintage “Plavac” and the famous white wines “Pošip”, “Rukatac” and “Grk”.

Most of vegetables and fruits found on the local market come from the gardens of the island. They generally pushed without contribution of harmful products to the environment.

Habits and folklore

The island of Korčula is very known for its combat of typical swords whose tradition was preserved since of the centuries. Among most famous, one finds that of the town of Korčula, Moreška, that of Moštra of Žrnovo, that of Kumpanija of Blato, Smokvica and Čara. These folk battles are organized during the tourist season and at the time of the votive festivals.

Moreška

Moreška (delivery as “moréchqua”) is a combat of swords between the armies of the white king and the black king, for the princess who was captured by the black king. After sharp combat being held in seven handles, the white king gains and releases the princess. The combat is accompanied by a military march played by a whole of wind instruments. This combat of Spanish tradition exists since the 15th century with Korčula. Moreška is much more than one simple folk demonstration. It belongs to the identity of the city and represents the symbol of the fight of Korčula for freedom. The spectacle of Moreška is presented the day of Theodore Saint (Sveti Todor) and several times during the summer season.

Moštra

Moštra (delivery as “will mochtra”), which comes from Postrana of Žrnovo, is a very old combat of swords between two armies, which is held with the sound of the Cornemuse. After ten different dances with the swords, the spectacle ends in general joy. It is followed folk dances carried out by the young people of the village. For these last years, the combat of swords has not ended any more in the setting with died of a bull, like wanted it the payment of 1620. The opinions were divided, between those which regarded this sacrifice as a barbarian act, and those which wanted to maintain a tradition thousand-year-old. This sacrifice which consisted in slicing the head of the animal with a heavy sword, is to be connected to the Mediterranean tradition Tauromachie (of the Greek tauros + mahia > bull + combat) going up at the time of the culture Minoenne in thousand-year-old IIe front J. - C.

Kumpanija

Kumpanija with Blato is a combat between two armies, which must show their heat to defend their native soil. This part evokes old times, the time when the defense of the island was entrusted to companies of reservists, Kumpanije. After the chief of the village gave his permission, the commander of the Kapitan garrison begins the combat with the ples od boja (war dance) made up of several danced scenes. The most impressive part is that of the carrier of the flag (Alfir), dance carried out with a large flag. Kumpanija is accompanied by the bearings by a large drum by war and by a Cornemuse. When Kumpanija ends, the valorous combatants and their friends show their joy with the dance Tanac . The ritual sacrifice of the bull is not done any more with Blato, since the Second world war.

Kumpanija is also a traditional spectacle of Čara and Smokvica.

Lumbarda and Smokvica preserved another traditional dance: Trganje naranče (orange gathering) in which the dancers accompanied by a singer honor the most beautiful girls and the chief with the village. The traditional dances of the island very picturesque, are also accompanied by the Cornemuse, the Accordéon, the drum: Manfrina , Dva passed , Četiri passed , Pritilica , Tanac and others still…

The majority of the folk songs of the island are songs of fishermen or sailors, and their friends. Some are involving and merry, others, with let us tons more nostalgic, mention the eternal question of the return of the sailors… Many sailors think that the most beautiful Croatian folk songs are those sung, the evenings of summer, by the fishermen of Vela Luka. On the island some people still sing old chansons de geste, in worms of ten feet, accompanied by the Guzla. They still play of rare instruments like Curominka (kind of flute).

With Orebić, close neighbor on the peninsula of Pelješac, one continues to dance Polish of the Captains (an old dance of the captains with their been engaged), at the time of the local festivals and during the summer season.

A very popular sport, the buce (balls; left game of bowls) is always commented on noisy remarks and exclamations and is accompanied by good wine. In all the cities and villages of the island, the men play buce.

Flora and fauna

Flora

Korčula is the most wooded island of Croatia. The forests and wood occupy 61% of its surface. On remaining surface, one finds many olive groves and vineyards, as well as other cultures. Less than 5% of the ground is not exploitable (broken stones). Naval construction and its dependence with the supply wooden, as well as the absence of great breedings of cattle saved the drills of the island. For the landowners, the forestry development, today, lost of its importance. Hundreds of kilometers of forest paths, as from other natural barriers of natural protection against fire disappeared. Also, the greatest danger to the trees of Korčula is fire. The grove of Korčula is made up of many gasolines, mainly of pines of Alep ( Pinus halepensis Mill. ), of maritime pines ( Pinus maritima ), of black pines ( Pinus will nigra ), of umbrella pines ( Pinus pinea L. ) and of holm oaks ( Quercus illex L. ). One finds moreover, other species like the wild olive-tree ( Olea Oleaster Fiori ), the dark ash ( Fraxinus Ornus L. ), the genévrier with spines ( Juniperus oxycedrus L. ), and near the villages and along the ways of many cypresses ( Cypressus semperviens L. ).

Great extents are covered with more known close-cropped bushes under the generic name of maquis (Makija). In addition to the bushes of holm oaks and genévriers present in the maquis, also cane-apple bushes push ( Arbutus unedo L. ), myrtles ( Myrtus communis L. ), palm trees ( Phillyrea latifolia L. ), always green viornes ( Viburnus tinus L. ), heather ( Erica arborea L. )… The white flowers and the sweetened red fruits highlight the cane-apple bushes (“the strawberry tree”) in the maquis. The bay-trees ( Laurus nobilis L. ) decorate the ways close to villages and the course of the houses. The medicinal and aromatic plants have a great value: the sage, rosemary, marjoram, mint, the origan. Many wild grasses, like the dandelion, are cooked and seasoned with olive oil. For the great value of their wood, many mulberry trees were planted, ripe white and black; the alley of the limes of Blato is also very known.

At the time contemporary, decorative trees, bushes and flowers were planted in Korčula. It acts, inter alia, of palm trees, rose laurels, bougainvilleas, sisal plants and cactus.

Fauna

Many coleopters and other insects, reptiles and lizards and splendid birds make the richness of the animal world of Korčula. Among the reptiles one finds the grass snake esculape, nonpoisonous, with four stripes ( Coluber quattorlineatus ), the largest snake of Europe. It is a snake protected by the law. It can reach up to three meters length. The lizard Ophesaurus apodus with its deformed legs is particularly original. Much takes it for a snake, although it is a lizard apprehensive and useful for the man.

Many species of birds live on the island, blackbirds or nightingales. One can appreciate their songs and observe their flights in the fertile wood bulky and fields. Imposing large dukes live in the forests of pines, as of scratch, the vultures and the falcons. It is unthinkable to imagine Korčula without gull or flight of migratory birds at the time of the migrations.

Among the mammals, in addition to the mongeese, martens, weasels and rabbits, one notes the presence of jackals. It is the last European animal of this kind ( Canis aureus ) still existing. Since the Eighties, a great number of wild boars arrived at the stroke on the islands dalmatiennes, whereas they did not exist before. They cause many damage with the cultures of Korčula and are regarded as noxious animals. A period ago when hunting is prohibited for this species. The pets used for work are the ass and the mule. One raises some sheep, to have milk and to make cheese. Each firm pupil his own pig. The sea which surrounds Korčula is rich in fish. During a ballade at sea, it is frequent to have the joy of meeting dolphins. In 1994 in the “Škoji”, one saw a Mediterranean seal ( Monachus albiventer ). Boats, one can see the flights of fishing birds and blue gurnards in flight above the waves.

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