Korčula (town)

Coordinates: 42°57′0″N 17°07′30″E / 42.95000°N 17.12500°E / 42.95000; 17.12500
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Korčula
DU
ClimateCsa
Websitekorcula.hr

Korčula (

Adriatic
.

Population

The City of Korčula has a total population of 5,634, in the following individual

settlements:[3]

Town of Korčula: Population trends 1857–2021
population
4277
4440
5004
5567
5890
6463
6518
5996
5685
6474
6157
6097
5829
6240
5889
5663
5415
18571869188018901900191019211931194819531961197119811991200120112021

Construction

The old city is surrounded by walls, and the streets are arranged in a herringbone pattern allowing free circulation of air but protecting against strong winds.[4] Korčula 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. All of Korčula'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.

Historic sites

The town's historic sites include the central

Franciscan monastery with a Venetian Gothic cloister, the civic council chambers, the palace of the former Venetian
governors, grand 15th- and 16th-century palaces of the local merchant nobles, and the massive city fortifications.

Cursola, as it was called in Latin, became an episcopal see in the early 14th century, when the bishop of Ston (Stagnum in Latin) asked to be authorized to transfer his seat there because of Serb pressure on Ston. This was granted and he was made bishop also of a new diocese of Cursola united with his previous one. In 1541, the Ragusans asked for the separation of ecclesiastical jurisdiction over Ston, which they had conquered, from Cursola, which in the previous century had become a Venetian possession. In 1828, when both the Korčula and Ragusa (Dubrovnik) belonged to the Austrian Empire, the territory of the diocese of Cursola was made part of that of Dubrovnik.[5][6][7] No longer a residential bishopric, Cursola is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see.[8]

Architecture

The architecture of Korčula is represented by many well-preserved buildings such as churches, palaces, piazzas, and towers. Majority of the buildings in the Old Town were built in Venetian Renaissance style excluding the cathedral which was constructed in Gothic Style.

Along with the construction of stone walls surrounding the city, 12 towers were erected throughout the Middle Ages to provide protection for the town. Some of these towers are Tower Zakerjan, Tower Kanavelic, Tower of Sea Gate, Tower Mala Knezeva Kula, Tower Velika Knezeva Kula, Tower Revelin, Tower of All Saints, and Forteca. Of the twelve original towers 7 are still standing today. Another landmark of the town is the many small chapels and churches which can be found within the narrow streets of the town. One of the great architectural pieces of the town is St. Mark's Cathedral which is located at the highest point of the peninsula. The Cathedral is a Gothic-Rennaissance style and was constructed by local craftsman who specialized in stone masonry. Ornament of statues and fluted roses decorate the facade of the cathedral along with lion figures and statues of Adam and Eve framing the main entrance.

A large representation of Venetian Architecture within the town can be seen in the palaces of Korčula. These palaces were built using several architectural styles such as Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. Popular palaces in the city are the Arneri Palace, Governors Palace, Gabrielis Palace, Bishops Palace and Caenazzo Palace. Majority of the palaces of Korčula belonged to the wealthy families living within the town. Some of the palaces such as the Arneri Palace were built varying architectural styles. The design of this palace contains a Gothic facade along with Gothic ornamentation. The covered walkway of the palace was built using Renaissance and Baroque styles.

Culture

The devout

Catholic inhabitants of Korčula keep alive old folk church ceremonies and a weapon dance, the Moreška, which dates back to the Middle Ages.[9] Originally danced only on special occasions, in modern times there are performances twice a week for tourists.[10]

The city's Town Statute[11] dating back to 1214 prohibited slavery.[12][13]

Gallery

  • Church of Saint Nicholas
    Church of Saint Nicholas
  • Town walls at dawn
    Town walls at dawn
  • View of the town
    View of the town
  • Moreška
    Moreška
  • Sunset at Korčula
    Sunset at Korčula
  • Korčula town walls
    Korčula town walls
  • Panorama view of Korčula
    Panorama view of Korčula

References[14][15]

[16]

  1. Wikidata Q119585703
    .
  2. ^ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2021 Census". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in 2021. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. 2022.
  3. ^ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Korčula". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.
  4. ^ Architecture Korčula-www.korculainfo.com
  5. ^ Curzola, in Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques, vol. XIII, Paris 1956, coll. 1116-1117
  6. ^ Konrad Eubel, Hierarchia Catholica Medii Aevi, vol. 1 Archived 2019-07-09 at the Wayback Machine, pp. 462-463; vol. 2 Archived 2018-10-04 at the Wayback Machine, p. 241; vol. 3, p. 183; vol. 4 Archived 2018-10-04 at the Wayback Machine, p. 170; vol. 5, p. 178; vol. 6, pp. 189-190
  7. ^ Pius Bonifacius Gams, Series episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae, Leipzig 1931, p. 405
  8. ), p. 878
  9. ^ The Early Korčula Moreska Journal article by Max Harris, Lada Cale Feldman; Comparative Drama, Vol. 37, 2003
  10. ^ Dunin, Elsie Ivancich, ed. (2006). Korčulanska Moreska (in Croatian).
  11. ^ Korčula Statute-www.korculainfo.com Archived 2013-03-16 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Footprint Croatia-Page 289 Jane Foster
  13. ^ "Razvitak hrvatskih otoka" (PDF). Građevinar (in Croatian). 52 (6). 2000. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Korcula Town Walls". Korculainfo. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  15. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "The historic town of Korčula". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  16. ^ "St. Mark's Cathedral, Korcula Town". Korculainfo. Retrieved 2023-12-01.

External links