If you decide to take a trip with car on the island of Korčula we recommend you visit these places, it should last long. Each of Korčula island towns and villages has its own story that wants to tell you.
BLATO
Blato is located near Vela Luka, only 10 minutes by car. The town is famous by second largest tree ally in Europe. Since many noblemen have lived here, the old architecture of this place takes breath away. Surrounded by all sides with green hills, Blato is a real small pearl of the klapa song, wine, olives and traditional dances.
SMOKVICA AND ČARA
Smokvica is the birthplace of a famous wine – Pošip. If you have the desire to see the vineyards of the wine that you drink, then you can spend some time in this beautiful little place. Like Blato, Smokvica is also situated in centre of the island because that provided protection from the attacks of the pirate’s centuries ago. From today’s perspective it may sound strange, but that makes these places even more interesting because it says much about rich history. It is located in near place Brna, which is perfect for swimming with children.
Except Smovica, the place Čara is also known for breeding the indigenous wine Pošip. The rich history of this place is mentioned in the Korčula Statute in 1214. In the center of Čara is church of St. Petra from the 15th century. In the church there is picture of the famous Venetian artist Jacop Bassan painted at the end of the 16th century.
Close to Čara, there is the place called Zavalatica. This village is famous resort since the time of noblemen which spent their summer vacation there. One of them was poet Kanavelić from the 17th century.
KORČULA
On the other side of the island is located old stone town Korčula, which everyone who loves history and architecture will find very interesting town to visit.
Even if you didn’t find nothing impressive on this road trip then Korčula will surely excite you. This town is very much like museum, not just regular small town. First thing you will notice even from the road above Korčula is peninsula with old houses and cathedral that boast proudly from the top of the peninsula. Welcome to the birthplace of Marco Polo – the town of Korčula!
If you didn’t know that Korčula is his birthplace here you will certainly notice that. From cocktails, to interesting wooden chairs set up around the city, museums and souvenir shops – all carry only one name – Marco Polo.
Although his name is most prominent, do not think that only his history is what this town is about because you will centrally be wrong. Thanks to many conquerors during long and rich past, this city is a time machine of itself. Thanks to Korčula artists and stonemasons, predominantly from Lumbarda, who seems to be born with stonemasons talent Korčula is very beautiful and unique time machine.
The well-known Korčula knight game Moreška is a real attraction for all visitors because it includes dynamic orchestral music and beautiful costumes with a love-combat theme.
LUMBARDA
As we mentioned before, Lumbarda is birthplace for many artists, and some of them gave stonework to the town of Korčula in middle ages. This little romantic place will delight you with its roads among the vineyards where you can find Grk and Plavac wine grown on the sand. The road will take you to beautiful sandy beach “Pržina”, where you can enjoy a cocktail or a meal.
The old part of Lumbarda rises above the vineyards and from there you have beautiful view on small islands in channel. After trip to the town of Korčula, we recommend that you visit this little, nice place.
KLAPE
Island Korčula is one most songful islands and it is well known for large number of vocalists and capella (klapa) singing. Every year Blato in August is hosting the evening of the Dalmatian klapa song traditionally related to the south of Croatia. Vela Luka is also famous for capella (klapa) singing.
The klapa song is sung in multivocality, without accompaniment by instruments. Klapa usually involves 5 to 8 singers that sing about life and love in this area.
OLIVES AND WINES
Road will lead you through the old places of the island where you can get to know with the beauty of historic buildings in which quality, from generation to generation, is invested a lot of effort, work and knowledge. Top-quality white wines like Pošip and Rukatac are grown in the central part of the island while the very popular Greek is grown on the eastern side. If you want to drink black wine, you won’t have trouble finding it because Plavac is the most widespread variety of wine on the island. Wine Rukatac because of its light floral scent and lower alcohol content is especially popular among females.
Besides wine, Korčula is well known for its olives and olive oils. In 2016, Korčula’s olive oil was given protected designation of origin certificate. Virgin olive oil is gained from olive exclusively by mechanical procedures.