Korcula Island, Croatia
Early this morning we approached the island of Korcula on board the Panorama. During the evening hours, the wind and seas had calmed from the day before so our ride here from Dubrovnik was quite nice.
Korcula is separated from the mainland Croatia and the Peljesac Peninsula by a narrow channel of water. It was by this channel that we made our way towards Korcula Town and our pilot station for the harbor. The pilot was on time and we were “med-moored” (or tied up at the stern) just after breakfast.
The town itself was constructed in the 15th century and it was done in such a way to minimize the effect of the winter or “bura” winds, to maximize the effect of the summer or “maestral” winds and to allow the city’s defenders to reach the walls quickly when they were under siege. This result is a striking herringbone pattern when viewed from the air.
Michael Dobbs, our National Geographic Expert, invited all of us to visit his vacation house which was just up the street from the pier. He made a short presentation on the history of Korcula and then we followed him on a short walk to his lovely home that he and his family had restored. After this we were free to roam the streets of this impressive town.
Late in the afternoon we joined some local guides for a tour inside the walls of Korcula. At the end of the walking tour we were treated to Moreska sword dance that was performed by a local troupe. This dance has been handed down through the generations in Korcula since the 15th century. It tells a tale of two kings and their armies in a fight over a princess. The princess had professed her love to the White King (dressed in red), but she had been abducted by the Black King and held captive. The dance tells the tale of the battle between the two armies and in the end the Princess rejoins her true love.
