KORCULA ISLAND

The Island of Korcula belongs to the group of islands in central Dalmatian. The length of the island is 47 km; the average width is from 5.3 to 8 km and stretches from the east to west. It is characterized by an indented coastline, a variety of known and hidden coves, and a large number of islands of which there are about 50. The road network is quite developed, and to most of the coves can be reached by road or short pedestrian distances. It holds the position of Croatians sixth largest island, but with the most population. Suitable conditions for the life of people here are found since prehistoric times, and since then has been almost continuously inhabited, so this is an island which has richest history in the Adriatic. A vast majority of this history and traditions to this day the local population have managed to preserve.

About the inhabitants of the Island in prehistoric times we have witnessed one of the richest archaeological sites from that time in the Adriatic which is found in a cave (Vela Spila) above Vela Luka. Greeks settled here in the 6th century BC where they found Illyrian tribes, and were assimilated with them, which only written documents remain, Lumbarda Psephisma (decision) on the distribution of land and property rights. Excavations that began in 2012 lead to the discovered of an Illyrian town on the hill Kopila near Blato. The town was in boom between 4th -1st century BC. Romans occasionally come to the island, and then settled and built a rustic villa in the 3rd century. AC. On the arrival of Croatians they inhabit the island, accepted Christianity and built the church of which are the oldest is St. Cosmas and Damian in the field of Blato, built in the 11th century, on foundations of a chapel from the 6th century. Through the turbulent centuries of history, there was alternate power and control over Korcula. Thus, for some time belonged to the Byzantine Empire, it was part of the Venetian Republic, the Republic of Dubrovnik, and Croatian-Hungary, France during the Napoleonic conquests, Austria-Hungarian Empire and so on.

On the island an exceptionally mild Mediterranean climate prevails with the insolation from 2600-2700 hours per year and an average annual temperature of around 16 degrees, summers are not too hot but the warm and dry, and winters are not cold, the fall is good for swimming, lazing in the sun, cycling, and then spring brings scents awakened nature, so the spring walks especially nice and pleasant.

Korcula is covered with wild, aromatic, medicinal and edible plants. The original vegetation of the island is that of low bushes and coastal oak and because oak is dark ancient Greeks when they saw Korcula gave the name Korkyra Melaina - Black Korcula. They brought the culture of vines and olive trees, which are major crops till this day. Many experts agree that the Korculan olive oil, which has received the designation of origin, one of the best olive oils in the world. Coastal Oak is now less frequent, and was replaced by forests of pine. Korcula is home to several endemic plant species, the most famous is the Brown Orchid that grows throughout the spring in the western part of the island.

Like the entire eastern Adriatic coast and the island of Korcula are made of dolomite and limestone soil, which means that it is characterized by abundance of caves. Although cave research has been carried out for decades, thus far more than 160 caves been found on the island and one of the most beautiful was discovered in 2015 near the town of Korcula: deep pit about 25 meters with a small lake.

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