Korčula, Mediterranean island in Dalmatia, Croatia
Korčula is an Adriatic island off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, covering 279 square kilometers and belonging to Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Small settlements lie scattered along the rocky shoreline, while the interior features wooded hills with the highest point at 569 meters.
Greek settlers founded a colony in the 6th century before Christ, which later came under Roman and then Venetian rule. The Venetian period lasted several centuries and shaped the architecture of many coastal towns.
The name comes from the Greek word for dark forest, which still fits the thick pine woods covering much of the territory. Local families tend small vineyards and olive groves on sunny slopes, where harvest season in autumn brings many villagers together.
Ferries connect the territory regularly with larger port cities along the coast, and in summer additional water taxis run to smaller neighboring islands. Most beaches and coves can be reached on foot or by bicycle, though some paths may be rocky and steep.
The Grk wine variety grows only in the sandy soils of Lumbarda and is a rare white grape that thrives nowhere else in Croatia. Some winemakers offer tastings where visitors can discover the difference from other regional wines.
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