Korchula

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After leaving the busy, busy Dubrovnik we wanted to chill back and enjoy some quiet times, so we ended up on the island of Korchula. It is the biggest island in the Adriatic and it has a long history behind it.

It was first named "Melania Korkya" (dark forest) by the ancient Greeks , because of the lush vegetation covering the whole island. It was part of the Venetian Republic, and as such it was heavily fortified for defence against Turks and the Genovese.
The town is sourronded by towers and walls on all sides, with houses and palaces nestled tightly in between them. Unlike Dubrovnik, almost every house is inhibited by locals, and it is at times mind boggling that we were sleeping in a room that was built 600 years ago. Entrances to houses have old stone engravings of family coats of arms, cobble stone streets are so smooth from years of use that you can see your reflection in them after rain.
Locals claim that the famous traveler and explorer Marco Plolo is descendent from Korchula. Well, evidence is sketchy at best, but that he was on the island is a given. Here, in the 15th hundreds ocured one of the biggest naval battles of all time, between the Venetian fleet, comanded by Polo himself, against the Genoves. Marco lost and ended in jail. His house with a tower is still here, and it gives one of the best views of the city.

We enjoyed Korcula and its less touristy vibe ( even though it is probably difficult to find a place in Europe that is not trampled by hoards of toursits every summer). We enjoyed the food here (mainly fresh fish and seafood. Oh, one night we had grilled fish and small lobsters or scampi, fresh olives from the numerous olive trees around and a tasty appetizer of small smokey salty fish. Yum).

After Korcula, we took the catamaran to Split (only 3 hours and a very smooth ride thanks God). We are in Split now which is a very nice marine town sparkling in the sun and boasting one of the best preserved Roman ruins in the world, the Diocletian Palace. The ruins of the palace have been incorporated in Split's houses and buildings, creating a dazzling and interesting architecture. More to come about Split, soon.
Tomorrow we are off to a village close to Zagreb, where we have some family to visit and some rustic activities awaiting for us (mushroom and chestnut picking).

Love and peace.

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Photos

City street
A typical steet, filled with restaurants, jelewry shops and...cats

Courtyard
A quick snap of an open sky courtyrad, of one of the houses

Entrance to Marco Polos house
This bronze plaque is the strongest evidence that this is indeed Polo's house

Acros the see and unto the monutains
Once you climb up the tower in Polo's house you are graced by the vista of Dinaric Alps across the island

Gallery
The seacoast teems with artists and galleries of all kinds

Throne
Either this was a throne of fools or dukes. In this case we know well heheh

Ship
After it sailed away in dusk, the ship turned on the lights and it was seen illuminated for miles away at night