Korcula

Korcula, an island located within the central Dalmatian archipelago. A significant characteristic of the island is its rather indented coast. The highest peaks found on the island are Klupca and Kom. The weather of Korcula is mild.

The island of Korcula is largely covered with beautiful Mediterranean flora and at some places, pine forests thrive. A main portion of Korcula’s economy is based on farming, viticulture, fruit growing, fishing and fish processing and shipbuilding. The processing of synthetic materials and of course, tourism are also significant components of Korcula’s economy.

Korcula’s summer tourism tradition is long established. Interestingly enough, nautical tourism has only recently been developed. The regional road connects major destinations within the island. Connecting Korcula with the mainland are reliable ferry lines.

The island has been inhabited since the Neolithic era (cave Vela Spilja near Vela Luka, cave Jakasova Spilja above the cove of Rasohatica, Zrnovo) as well as the Bronze Age.

In 6th and the 5th centuries BC, a Greek colony existed on the island which as at the time called Korkyra Melaina (remains of Greek habitations can be found in Lumbarda, in the vicinity of Blato and also in Potirna).

From 35 BC the island was included as a part of the Roman Empire. Remains of Roman settlements have been discovered within the vicinity of Lumbarda, Vela Luka (locality Beneficij), Blago and on Pelegrin.

Upon the Western Roman Empire’s collapse, Korcula island became part of the Ostrogoth state (AD 493) and, soon after, came under the Byzantine rule (AD 555). In the 9th century the island was taken over by the Nerentani/Narentini, and in AD 1000 by Venice.

In 1180, Korcula came under the power of a Hungarian-Croatian king (in 1214 the statute of the town and the island were passed). From 1221, through two centuries, the island has seen several rulers ranging from Zahumlje, Venice (in 1298 the Genoese fleet had defeated the Venetian fleet near the island); King Lodovic I (1358), various Bosnian rulers (1390); and the Dubrovnik Republic (1413-1417).

During the period ranging from 1420-1797 the island was under the control of Venice but managed to retain its autonomy. Due to frequent attacks of the Turkish fleet and pirate ships, occurring until the beginning of the 18th century, several important points on the island were established and fortified- especially the town of Korcula.

After the fall of Venice, the island of Korcula saw another period of various rulers: 1797-1805 Austria, 1805-1813 France controlled, 1813-1815 Great Britain ruled and 1815-1918 Austria again regained control.

During the period of 1918-1921, Korcula was under the Italian occupation until it was finally annexed to Croatia. The center of the island, the town of Korcula, with a well earned cultural and historical heritage and town ramparts (resembling those of Dubrovnik) ranks among the favorite tourist destinations in the southern Croatia region.