Korčula

Description

Korčula has changed many rulers throughout history, and has changed many names. First inhabitants have been Greeks who have organised a first colony in the village of Lumbarda in the 6th century BC and have named the place Korkyra.The end of the greek colonies has caused the island to be overtaken by the roman rulers and roman govern. In the year 1000, the island has been under the rule of Venice and Venetian reign, after that the Croatian rule under the reign of west empire (Austrian and Hungarian rule), afterwards the island goes back under the Venice, and from the Romanesque era, between 1213 and 1420, there are many artistic and architectural evidences of the imprint of the Venice Republic (Mletačka Republika Venecija) Since Korčula has had its autonomy and it was mostly free, but under rich rules, there was a lot of possibility for economic growth and soon it became one of the most developed islands of the aquatorium and pretty much this part of Europe. After the fall of Venice and their republic, the island was under the Austrian empire and there was a short rule of England and France (1918 - 1923), then it was a part of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, from 1945 under the Jugoslavija state, and after 1991 a part of Republic of Croatia.

Today, Korčula is a historical and touristic centre that is unique in its artistic, architectural and cultural heritage, such as towers from different eras, the traditional dance of Moreška that originates from the 18th century , the sword dance that is equally danced by men and women in the summer times during the days of the saints that are considered protectors of the island. Also, there is a maritime genius that has his imprint on the island of Korčula, Marco Polo, whose scripts have been recognised even by the Christofor Columbo while searching for the uncovered lands of the world.