First time you hear about Korcula island in Croatia and wonder what is it famous for? Here are some fun facts about Korcula:
- Korcula is known as “Little Dubrovnik” because of its resemblance to the larger, more famous city. Both cities have well-preserved medieval architecture and fortifications.
- Korcula is also called the “Emerald Island” because of its lush vegetation and green hillsides.
- Korcula Island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the 4th millennium BCE.
- The island was colonized by the ancient Greeks in the 4th century BCE, and later came under the control of the Roman Empire.
- The town of Korcula is believed to have been designed by a 13th-century Venetian architect, who based its layout on a fishbone pattern to maximize ventilation and sunlight.
- Marco Polo, the famous explorer and author of “The Travels of Marco Polo,” was born on Korcula in 1254.
- The island is home to an indigenous white grape variety called Grk, which is grown only on Korcula and produces a distinctive, high-acid wine.
- Korcula’s traditional sword dance, the Moreska, has been performed for centuries and tells the story of a battle between Christians and Moors.
- The island has over 200 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails, offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands.
- Korcula is home to the oldest preserved human fossil in Europe, which is over 25,000 years old and was found in the island’s Vela Spila cave.
- The island is also known for its olive oil, which has been produced there for thousands of years and is considered some of the finest in Croatia.
- Korcula’s inhabitants have a long tradition of shipbuilding and seafaring, with many local families having been involved in these industries for generations.