Visiting Korcula [Part 2/3]: Inside the Old Town

In this second part of the Korcula travel series, we visit the old town of Korcula, which is actually the heart of the whole city.  The old town is surrounded by walls, and the streets are arranged in a herringbone pattern allowing free circulation of air but protecting against strong winds. Many restaurants are located on the outer parts of the walls, and many old churches, museums and houses are situated inside the walls. Let's take a stroll inside the old town of Korcula...

This is a multi-part series. Other parts include:
Part One: Travel to the Island
Part Two: Inside the Old Town of Korcula
Part Three: Sunset Cruise around the Island

click on the images for a bigger view

Korcula is tightly built on a promontory that guards the narrow sound between the island and the mainland. Building outside the walls was forbidden until the 18th century, and the wooden drawbridge was only replaced in 1863.

This is the main entrance into the old part of the town that is guarded by the walls.

In this next image, you can see the walls a bit better.

In the middle of the old town you will find the oldest church on this island. It's the St. Marco Cathedral. It is built in Gothic-Renaissance style, and was completed in the 15th century at the place of another church from 13th century that was there before. The cathedral was built by local masters and craftsman of stone masonry, very well known in the  renaissance and baroque periods.

Upper part of the entrance to the Cathedral.

In this next image you can see the Kula Zakerjan (Zakerjan tower), which is also named the Berim Tower. It stands on the north of Korcula Town. The tower was built between 1481 and 1483 under rule of Giovanni Mocenigo who was doge of Venice from 1478 to 1485. 

The Zakerjan tower is shaped like half-cylinder and has similar crenellation - the distinctive pattern that framed the top of the walls of this medieval tower. On the North side of the tower, facing Peljesac Channel, there is Venetian coat of Arms of Governor Viaro and Doge Mocenigo. On the South side, facing Korcula Town , above the arch, there is Tiepolo Coat of Arms.

All of Korcula's narrow streets are stepped with the notable exception of the street running alongside the southeastern wall. The street is called the Street of Thoughts as one did not have to worry about the steps.

The inner streets of the town offer up many alleys and corners that can be explored. I was especially delighted to shoot these images during sunset, which gave me a great light.

The outer walls reveal the sights of the rest of the city, which mainly consists of hotels and residential buildings.

At night the city transforms again, as the warm lights send everything into a calm mood. There is lots of activity at night in Korcula, and you can spend a good part of it in cafes, restaurants, bays, the local street market and various other places.

End of Part Two
To be continued...

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you liked these images.
In the final part I will take you out on a sunset cruise around the island, where there will me many glorious sights of nature, sea and the island.
Here is a small preview: