Korcula claims to be the birth place of Marco Polo. It's also the 6th largest island of Croatia and a huge holiday spot in the Summer. Luckily for me (I don't like crowds), it's a few weeks into off season so the majority of tourists have gone. The days are warm but the bura wind is still hanging around making it a bit fresh when the sun is behind the clouds.
Today was a great day of leisure and I have enjoyed walking the streets of the island. This morning we had a local guide walk us through Old Town and show us the old ruined home of Marco Polo, St Mark's Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace and explained how the Old Town of Korcula had very clever city planning way back when it was built in the late 15th century. There is one straight main street that has curved side streets coming off it (think of a fish bone). The straight street catches the sun while the side streets are curved to help slow the strong bura winds.
The steps are the entrance to Old Town, Korcula
An example of the curved side streets
Marco Polo's old home
Dad and I payed 20 kuna each (around $4) and climbed to the top of the bell tower to get the view of the town. The spiral stair case to the top was so narrow and windy that I had to be careful not to scrape my bag on the walls going up. It was just as squeezy when we got to the top. We were very busy taking photos so weren't keeping an eye of the time. When it struck midday we were right next to the bells and, needless to say, it scared the bejeezus out of us.
We then stopped for a relaxing lunch, sitting by the old town wall and looking over the water. Prosciutto, cheese, bread, salad and wine. Perfect.
Selfie from St Mark's Cathedral bell tower.
And then it struck 12!
To end the day, and to walk off the lunch, we left the hotel for a walk around the outskirts of Korcula town. It took about 80 minutes. See the feature photo looking down to Old Town Korcula.
Taken from the front of Hotel Siburna
Taken just outside the Old Town wall. See the round tower on the right.