Korčula is the largest city on the Croatian island of the same name. Sometimes called the "little Dubrovnik" and surrounded by defensive walls, it has beautiful, historic buildings and an interesting street layout, looking like a fish skeleton.
Although the city is one of the island's most important tourist resorts, there are no typical beaches. You can only relax on the rocks by the sea or on the boulevards concreted or paved with stones. Due to favorable winds blowing here, Korčula is a well-known center for windsurfing and sailing.
According to local tradition, to which some scientists also favor in Korčula, Marco Polo was born in 1254. Today, his supposed family home houses the traveler's museum, while in the cathedral of St. Mark can be seen on his wax figure.
St. Patrick's Cathedral Mark is the most important monument of Korčula. It was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries on the ruins of an earlier church. Its architecture is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles, and the interior is decorated with works of art mainly Italian masters.
There are many other interesting monuments in the Old Town. Among the narrow streets and stone houses you can find two small, charming churches of St. Michael and St. Peter. There is also the Venetian palace Arneri with a Renaissance garden, the 16th century town hall and the richly decorated Ducal Palace.
Korčula is surrounded by defensive walls with sea and land gates. As in the past, so now they lead to the main street of the city full of restaurants and shops. Garden restaurants are also located along the coast, serving mainly fish and seafood.
