To our guests we offer a boat trips to:
* Korcula town (night trips are also available)
* Lumbarda’s sandy beaches
* Islets in Korcula archipelago (Badija, Stupe, Majsan, Sestrice etc.)
* Secret beaches on the Peljesac coast.
::Destinations
::Korcula Town
Korčula is a historic fortified town on the protected east coast of the island of Korčula.
The old city is surrounded by walls, and the streets are arranged in a herringbone pattern allowing free circulation of air but protecting against strong winds. The town's historic sites include the central Gothic and Renaissance Cathedral of St Mark, the Town Hall and the massive city fortifications.Legend holds that Korcula was founded by the Trojan hero Antenor in the 12th century BC. It subsequently flourished with waves of Illyrian and Greek colonists, who left behind some stone buildings, fortresses, and tombstones. Under the Romans, it became part of the province of Dalmatia, later falling to waves of Avar and Slavic immigrants in the 7th century AD.
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::Korcula > Events
Moreška is a traditional sword dance from the town of Korčula. Dating back hundreds of years, the Moreška is an elaborate production involving two groups of dancers, engaging in a mock battle over the fate of a veiled young woman. The two sides of battling dancers were originally Moors and Christians, recalling the Spanish battles of the Reconquista in the Middle Ages. However, at some point in the 19th century in Korčula, the sides changed from Christians vs. Moors, to Turks vs. Moors, or simply "White" and "Black", with the non-Moor side emerging victorious.
Originally performed rarely on special occasions, in modern times the Moreška is performed at 21:00 twice weekly in July and August (on monday and thursday) and in June and September every thursday for visiting tourists.
Masked half of the New Year's Eve is unique event in Croatia, organized on 30.June every year in the open spaces of the city of Korčula in the form of a summer carnival.
Carnival merry procession, hundreds of children and adults, younger and older, brass band from the city and surrounding areas, majorettes from the island of Korčula, often masked guests, such as "bell ringers" and others, walking in the city in the afternoon and represents a major attraction for gleeful audience. Gathering in the streets and squares before the start of the parade is already enough bait for the river of guests who await the event and join in with masks on.
The main "party" is held at the "monument"-Plokata in the city center with plenty of music, dance and catering services throughout the evening. Preparation time that begins few days before this day is also attractive. The groups meet in open areas and prepare the costumes of all materials and try to be witty, interesting and original, thus contributing to an atmosphere of upcoming events.
Marco Polo Fest, officially called the “International Marco Polo Festival of Song and Wine” is a Croatian pop music festival held on the island of Korčula, every year in the middle of July. The celebrations will welcome you as an honorary Korčulian for the weekend. Recognized as the only festival of traditional, international and local music in Croatia, it also takes place on what is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful of Croatia’s 1000 islands. The event being celebrated is supposedly the return of Marco Polo to the island 700 years before, but really it just seems like a good reason to spill into the streets, singing, dancing and soaking up local culture.
Other events; The Korkyra Baroque Festival is a recently-established international music festival held annually, over the first half of September.
In summer months guest performances from Croatian theatres, appearances of affiliated folklore societies from Croatia and abroad take place.
Also, numerous sport events, and in particular, Marco Polo Challenge triatlon race in April and water-polo matches in Korčula and Vela Luka in August.
During the year there are many religious processions in Korčula town and in all island places.
Wine festivals in July and August in Korčula town and Čara, Smokvica and Lumbarda places are presenting high quality Korčula island white wines Pošip, Grk and Rukatac.
Grape harvest on the island of Korčulais a time of both work and delight with the ripening of the fruits; usually it begins on September the 1st and lasts until October 15th depending on the sort of grape and location.
The olive harvest begins at the end of October and lasts through the whole month of November, and the processing of olive oil lasts from October until December.
::Badija
Badija is the largest islet in the Korcula archipelago, located in the near vicinity of Korcula island. The Franciscan Monastery, built in the middle of 15th century in late Gothic with its side building, dominates the view from the Korcula side.The Chapel of St. Catharine (Sv. Katarina), dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, is situated on the hill behind the monastery.The islet is predominantly covered by bush and pine woods and it’s completely surrounded by pebble and rocky beaches.Badija is a great destination for swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear sea, fishing, sun bathing, sightseeing, walking and hiking around the island.
::Lumbarda Beaches
Lumbarda is a small fishermen's village located on the eastern end of the Island of Korčula, few kilometers away from the town of Korcula, in Croatia.A road passing through a picturesque area of pine woods and olive groves connects these two places.Lumbarda is surrounded by sandy vineyards with well known white wine 'Grk' produced from the local grape and sandy beaches Vela Przina, Bilin Zal and Tatinja. Lumbarda is a tourist centre. Most of its 1200 inhabitants are wine-growers, fishermen and stone-masons, activly participating in the local tourist industry.
Lumbarda also has a rich history preserved in written documents dating back to more than two thousand years ago, from the Greek times.
::Islets: Stupe, Majsan and Sestrice
Archaeological evidence tells us that the Majsan Islet was inhabited from ancient Greek times to the early Middle Ages. The ruins of a small fishermen's settlement during Roman times (1st ct AD) have been transformed into a monastery with the advent of Christianity (4th ct AD). The architectural complex consists of residential and commercial buildings, grouped around a small chapel with the shrine of St. Maximus, saint after whom the island was named. A fortress built at the top of the island controlled maritime traffic and provided shelter for the monks.
Another islet within swimming distance from the Majsan is Vela Stupa with restaurant and wodden pier. This seafood restaurant is run by local family and has reputation as a good place to eat. Owner of the restaurant, our family friend is a passionate fisherman.
Sestrice are twin islets called Vela Sestrica and Mala Sestrica (Large and Small Sister). The lighthouse on the island of Vela Sestrica was built in 1871 by Autro-Hungarian Empire which used to be home of lighthouse master and his family.
::Hidden beaches on the Peljesac
From Viganj to the end of the Peljesac Peninsula (Rt. Osisac) coast is rocky and steep, but there are some nice and small secret beaches hidden between the rocks. First one is St. Ivan beach, perfect place if you want to escape the crowds and if you are looking for some silence. The only sounds you will hear are the sounds of waves breaking on shore and songs of the crickets.This is ideal place for swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear sea and the pine trees will provide shade. There is a spring water right on the shore in a rock formation with cold refreshing water coming out in the middle of the summer.
Another beach is in a small cove called Mala Duba. There is a sea food restaurant and rooms for rent.
::Korcula > Points of interest
CITY DEFENCES // Korčula’s towers (and remaining city walls) look particularly striking when approached from the sea, their presence warning pirates the town would be no pushover.
Originally these defences would have been even more foreboding, forming a complete stone barrier against invaders that consisted of 12 towers and 20m-high walls.
From the western harbour the conical Large Governor’s Tower (1483) and Small Governor’s Tower (1449) protected the port, shipping and the Governor’s Palace, which used to stand next to the town hall. Continuing clockwise around the edge of the old town peninsula, the Tower of the West Sea Gate has an inscription in Latin from 1592 stating that Korčula was founded after the fall of Troy. Next you’ll come to the renovated Kula Kanavelic Tower, its semicircular profile topped with battlements.The entrance to the old city is through the Veliki Revelin Tower southern land gate. Built in the 14th century and later extended, this fortification is adorned with coats-of-arms of the Venetian doges and Korčulan governors. There was originally a wooden drawbridge here, but it was replaced in the 18th century by the wide stone steps that give a sense of grandeur to the entrance. The best remaining part of the defence walls stretches west of here. The upper section of this tower is home to a small museum dedicated to the Moreška dance tradition; it has some costumes and old photos.
ST MARK'S CATHEDRAL // Dominating Trg Svetog Marka (St Mark’s Sq) the magnificent 15th-century St Mark’s Cathedral was built from Korčula limestone in a Gothic-Renaissance style by Italian and local artisans.
Over the solemn portal, the triangular gable cornice is decorated with a two-tailed mermaid, an elephant and other sculptures. The bell tower that rises from the cathedral over the town is topped by a balustrade and ornate cupola, beautifully carved by Korčulan Marko Andrijić. The facade was being cleaned at the time of research, and should shine in all its glory upon completion.
Its interior has a wonderfully evocative ambience, the nave soars 30m in height and is lined with a twin colonnade of exposed limestone pillars. Look out for the ciborium, also carved by Andrijić, and behind it the altarpiece painting Three Saints by Tintoretto. Another painting attributed to Tintoretto or his workshop, The Annunciation, is on the baroque altar of St Anthony. Other noteworthy works include a bronze statue of St Blaise by Meštrović near the altar on the northern aisle, and a painting by the Venetian artist Jacopo Bassano in the apse of the southern aisle. Check out the modern sculptures in the baptistery too, including a pietà by Ivan Meštrović.
TOWN MUSEUM // Occupying the 16th-century Gabriellis Palace, this museum traces the history and culture of Korčula throughout the ages.
It’s not that well organised but there are some interesting curios to browse over its four floors – including a tablet recording Greek presence on the island in the 3rd century BC. The stone-carving collection follows the development of that craft with sculptures and stonemason tools, and shipbuilding exhibits display models of local boats. There’s also an archaeology collection with prehistoric objects, and some examples of Korčulan traditional dress and art, furniture, textiles and portraits. Explanations are in English.
Before leaving the square, notice the elegantly ornamented Arneri Palace next door to the museum and extending west down the narrow street of the same name.
MARCO POLO BIRTHPLACE // It’s said that Marco Polo was born in Korčula in 1254, and though a lot of places claim to be his birthplace, there’s reasonable evidence that it could be true.
This small, claustrophobic museum is located in the skinny tower of the house that is supposed to have been his. Inside you’ll find maps and charts relating to Polo’s voyages, and portraits and busts of the great adventurer. But perhaps the real appeal of this building is its views. Climb the very steep steps for an eagle’s-eye vista over the Korčula peninsula and Adriatic. Note that the access staircase can be a challenge, and there's a large gap in the railings, so those with dodgy knees or young children may decide to skip the climb.
ICON MUSEUM // The modest Icon Museum has a small collection of interesting Byzantine icons painted on wood on gold backgrounds, and 17th- and 18th-century ritual objects.
Visitors are let into the beautiful old All Saints’ Church (Crkva Svih Svetih) next door as a bonus. This 18th-century baroque church features a carved and painted 15th-century wood screen and a late-18th-century pietà, along with a wealth of local religious paintings.
RIZNICA MUSEUM // Located in the 14th-century Abbey Palace, the Riznica Museum has an ante-room with a collection of icons and a hall of Dalmatian art with an excellent selection of 15th- and 16th-century Dalmatian paintings.
The most outstanding work is the polyptych of The Virgin by Blaž Trogiranin. There are also liturgical items, jewellery, furniture and ancient documents relating to the history of Korčula.
The upper section of this tower is home to a small museum dedicated to the Moreška dance tradition; it has some costumes and old photos.
