Korčula facts for kids
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Adriatic Sea |
| Coordinates | 42°57′N 17°07′E / 42.950°N 17.117°E |
| Archipelago | Southern Dalmatian |
| Area | 279 km2 (108 sq mi) |
| Length | 46.8 km (29.08 mi) |
| Width | 7.8 km (4.85 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 568 m (1,864 ft) |
| Highest point | Klupca |
| Administration | |
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Croatia
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| County | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
| Largest settlement | Korčula (pop. 5,663) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 15,522 (2011) |
| Pop. density | 56 /km2 (145 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | 96.77% Croats |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | Official website: http://www.korcula.hr |
Korčula (pronounced Kor-choo-lah) is a beautiful Croatian island located in the Adriatic Sea. It's about 47 kilometers (29 miles) long and 8 kilometers (5 miles) wide, covering an area of 279 square kilometers (108 square miles).
In 2011, about 15,522 people lived on Korčula. This makes it the second most populated island in the Adriatic Sea, after Krk. It's also the most populated Croatian island that isn't connected to the mainland by a bridge. Most of the people living here are Croats. Korčula is also twinned with the town of Rothesay in Scotland.
Contents
Exploring Korčula's Geography
The island of Korčula is part of the central Dalmatian islands. It's separated from the Pelješac peninsula by a narrow strait, which is between 900 and 3,000 meters (2,950 to 9,840 feet) wide. The island stretches from east to west.
Korčula is the sixth largest island in the Adriatic Sea. Its highest points are Klupca, which is 568 meters (1,864 feet) high, and Kom, at 510 meters (1,673 feet).
Towns and Villages on the Island
The main towns on Korčula are Korčula, Vela Luka, and Blato. There are also charming villages along the coast like Brna, Lumbarda, Račišće, and Prižba. Some villages are located more inland, such as Žrnovo, Pupnat, Smokvica, and Čara.
The island is divided into four main areas: Korčula, Smokvica, Blato, and Lumbarda.
Korčula's Climate and Nature
Korčula has a Mediterranean climate, which means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperature in January is about 9.8°C (49.6°F), and in July, it's around 26.9°C (80.4°F). The island gets about 1,100 millimeters (43 inches) of rain each year.
Much of Korčula is covered with beautiful Mediterranean plants, including large pine forests.
Getting Around Korčula
A main road runs along the middle of the island, connecting almost all the settlements from Lumbarda in the east to Vela Luka in the west. Račišće is an exception, having its own road along the northern coast.
Ferries are a popular way to travel to and from Korčula. You can take a ferry from Korčula town to Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula. Another ferry connects Vela Luka with Split and the island of Lastovo. Fast passenger boats also link these ports to Split, Hvar, and Lastovo. During the summer, there are even direct ferries to Italian ports on the Adriatic Sea.
A Glimpse into Korčula's Past
Korčula has a very long and interesting history, with many different groups of people settling here over thousands of years.
Ancient Times on Korčula
Legend says that the island was founded by a Trojan hero named Antenor way back in the 12th century BC.
The first people to live on Korčula were from the Stone Age, around 10,000 to 4,000 BC. Archaeologists have found evidence of their lives in places like Vela Spila (Big Cave) and Jakas Cave. These findings help us understand how these early people lived.
Later, around 1000 BC, the Illyrians arrived in the Balkans. They were tribal people who moved around and farmed. You can still see old stone buildings and fortresses, called gradine, that the Illyrians left behind.
Around the 6th century BC, Greek settlers from Corcyra (which is now Corfu) came to the island. They called it "Black Corfu" because of their homeland and the many dark pine forests on the island. You can see Greek artifacts, like carved marble tombstones, at the Korčula town museum.
A very old stone inscription, called the Lumbarda Psephisma, was found in Lumbarda. It's the oldest written stone monument in Croatia. It tells us that more Greek settlers from Issa (Vis) started another colony on the island in the 3rd century BC. These Greek communities lived peacefully until the Illyrian Wars (220 BC to 219 BC) with the Romans.
After the Illyrian Wars, Korčula became part of the Roman province of Illyricum. Roman citizens moved to the island, and Roman villas were built. There's evidence that they farmed the land in an organized way. You can still find archaeological remains of Roman buildings and old church foundations.
In 10 AD, Illyricum was divided into two provinces, Pannonia and Dalmatia. Korčula became part of the ancient Roman province of Dalmatia.
Korčula in the Middle Ages
In the 6th century, Korčula came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. Later, during the Great Migrations of the 6th and 7th centuries, Croatian groups moved into the region. They took control of the area where the Neretva River meets the Adriatic Sea, as well as Korčula island, which protected the river mouth.
The Croats on the island became known as the Narentines or Neretvians. They quickly learned how to sail and became known as pirates. For a while, Venetian merchants even paid them a yearly fee to keep their ships safe.
In the 12th century, a Venetian nobleman briefly conquered Korčula. Around this time, the local leaders of Korčula started to create their own laws and a town charter. This helped them keep some independence, especially in how they managed their own island, even with powerful neighbors.
The Statute of Korčula was first written in 1214. This important document guaranteed the island's self-rule, even though it was influenced by larger powers like the Grand Principality of Raška, the Great Principality of Zahumlje, and the Republics of Ragusa and Venice. The island had fewer than 2,500 people at that time.
In 1298, the Republic of Genoa defeated Venice in the Battle of Curzola near Korčula. During this battle, the famous explorer Marco Polo was taken prisoner by the Genoese. He later wrote about his travels while in prison.
In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII officially created the Korčula Bishopric, which was part of the Archbishopric of Ragusa.
Korčula, which the Venetians called Curzola, was part of the Kingdom of Hungary for a while after 1358. It then came under the rule of the Bosnian King Stefan Tvrtko I in 1390, but Hungary soon regained control. In 1409, it became part of the Venetian Republic again. In 1571, the island bravely defended itself against Ottoman attackers during the Battle of Lepanto. Because of its courage, the Pope gave it the special name Fidelissima, meaning "Most Faithful."
Venetian and Austrian Rule
For many years, Korčula provided wood for Venice's ships and was a favorite stopping point for their fleets. From 1776 to 1797, Korčula was the main Venetian fortified naval base in the region.
In 1797, after the Treaty of Campo Formio, the Venetian Republic was divided. Korčula then became part of the Habsburg Monarchy.
The French Empire invaded the island in 1806 and made it part of their Illyrian Provinces. Later, in 1807, Montenegrin forces, with help from the Russian navy, conquered the island. However, after Austria was defeated in 1809, most of the Adriatic Sea came under French control.
On February 4, 1813, British troops and naval forces captured the island from the French. This short period of British rule left some important marks: a new stone quay (dock) was built, along with a paved terrace and stone benches on the road to Lumbarda. They also built a circular Martello tower, called "forteca," on the hill of St. Blaise above the town.
After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the British handed the island over to the Austrian Empire. Korčula then became part of the Austrian Kingdom of Dalmatia. From 1867, it was part of Austro-Hungary.
Korčula in the 20th Century
During the First World War, Korčula was promised to the Kingdom of Italy in 1915. However, after the war, in 1918, Korčula became part of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. Italy ruled it from 1918 to 1921, and then it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which later became known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. In 1939, it became part of the self-governing Croatian Banate.
After Yugoslavia was occupied by the Axis powers in April 1941, Italy took control of the island. When Italy surrendered in September 1943, Yugoslav Partisans briefly held the island. Then, German forces occupied Korčula until they left in September 1944.
When Yugoslavia was freed in 1945, the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia was formed. Korčula became part of the People's Republic of Croatia, one of the six republics within Yugoslavia. The country later changed its name to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1953. After 1991, the island became part of the independent Republic of Croatia.
Korčula's Rich Culture
Korčula has a vibrant culture, especially in arts and music.
Famous Writers and Artists
In the 17th century, Petar Kanavelić was a famous writer from Korčula. He wrote love songs, long poems, and plays. He also translated important Italian poems of his time. He is considered one of the greatest Croatian writers of the 17th century. There's a primary school in Korčula town named after him.
Korčula also has a strong tradition of stonemasonry, which means working with stone. This art was very popular when the Venetian Republic ruled the island (1420–1797).
Music and Dance Traditions
Moreška is a traditional sword dance from Korčula town. It's one of several proud sword dances performed on the island. It arrived in Korčula around the 16th century.
Korčula also has a rich history of Klape groups. Klapa is a type of a cappella singing, meaning singing without instruments. This tradition goes back centuries, but the style we know today started in the 19th century. Oliver Dragojević, a famous Croatian pop singer, is from the island.
Festivals and Events
Korkyra Baroque Festival
The Korkyra Baroque Festival is an international event that started in 2012. It features some of the world's best groups and solo artists who specialize in Baroque music. Many concerts are held over several days, promoting both the beautiful music and Korčula's amazing historical buildings.
Notable People from Korčula
Many interesting people have connections to Korčula:
- The Arneri family were landowners from the 15th century. They built the Palace Arneri in Korčula town.
- Domenica Žuvela (born 1992) is a singer.
- Matko Talovac (around 1400–1445) was a ban (viceroy) of Slavonia.
- Jakov Baničević (1466–1532) was a Renaissance humanist and a friend of Desiderius Erasmus.
- Frano Kršinić (1897–1981) was a sculptor from Lumbarda.
- Ivan Milat Luketa (1922–2009) was a painter from Blato.
- Blessed Marija Petković (1892–1966) founded the Daughters of Mercy Catholic order.
- Petar Šegedin (1909–1998) was a writer from Žrnovo.
- Zvonimir Šeparović (born 1928) is a legal expert and former diplomat.
- Dinko Tomašić (1902–1975) was a sociologist from Smokvica.
- Maksimilijan Vanka (1889–1963) was a Croatian American painter who had a home in Korčula.
- Bill Rancic (born 1971) is a Croatian American businessman who owns a villa on the island.
- Željko Franulović (born 1947) is a tennis player.
- Boško Lozica (born 1952) is a water polo player who won a silver medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Mia Rkman (born 1997) is a model who was Miss Universe Croatia.
Getting Around Korčula Island
Korčula is connected to the mainland by regular ferry services. One ferry runs between Dominče, near Korčula Town, and Orebić. There are also other local ferries, including one that links Vela Luka and Lastovo.
Jadrolinija, the main Croatian ferry company, offers services connecting Korčula Town with Rijeka, Split, Hvar, Mljet, Dubrovnik, and (from May to September) Bari in Italy. Another company, Linijska nacionalna plovidba, runs a seasonal service linking Korčula with Drvenik.
You can also take bus services that connect the island to major cities on the mainland. These buses use the Orebić ferry service to reach Korčula.
Korčula town also has places for boats to dock. The western harbor offers shelter from most winds, but not strong northern winds called ‘bora’. Boat owners might need to move to the eastern harbor or Luka Cove during these winds. The port is open for international ships and offers repairs for boats at the Brodograditelj Shipyard.
Images for kids
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South coast of Korčula
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A panoramic view of the easternmost parts of Korčula, with Lumbarda, City of Korčula and Orebić (Pelješac) from left to right
See also
In Spanish: Korčula (isla) para niños
