CROATIA

APARTMENTS

Korcula (Croatia, South Dalmatia, Island Korcula) is the most historical town in island of Korcula. Centre of town Korcula is built on a small peninsula. Town fortress was controling sea traffic of galleys and sailing boats in the past. Fortress was developing rapidly, from 13th century when statute was proclamated, later by coming the dukes from te Venetian family and by Marko Polo. Town fortress in 16th century could take 6 000 inhabitants. Some exprets compare Korcula`s fortress with Manhattan. Fortress impressed many travel writers.

First workshops, outside of fortress, are built in 17th century. First dwelling houses are built in 18th century. West part of the town, Saint Nikola, and south-east part of the town, Borak, are built in 19th century. Hotels and villas are built between 1921 and 1941, mostly in east part of the town, in the bay Luka.

Cathedral of Saint Marco is the biggest and most beautiful building in island of Korcula, it is called "top of the town". South from Saint Marco is Bishop`s palace. In Bishop`s palace is Abbatial Treasury of Saint Marco, together with rich collection of Italian and Croatian Renaissance artists and collection of manuscripts and books and ceremonial clothes. Other historicaly important buildings in Korcula are: Church of Our Lady, Gabrielis palace, Saint Peter church, Arneri palace, Zakrjan tower, church of Annonciation, house of the noble family Spanic, Saint Barbara church, Orthodox church...

On the west is small shipyard Sessa. Today there is a monument to the fallen Korculans in the World War II. Bernardo Bernardi, Croatian architect from Korcula, built the whole complex. Near complex is Dominican monastery of Saint Nicola. Church was built in 1505 and it was extended on the eastern side in 1665. Monastery possesses valuable copy of Tizian`s painting "Torturing of Saint Peter" and painting "Miracle of Saint Dominic in Surian" by the painter Poncun, numerious other works of art and a rich library... Building of the Dominican Monastery is partly fortified because it suffered several attacks during the history. Near is "Mandrac", a small port for the monastery boats.

MORESKA DANCE

It is not determined whether the dance comes from Spanish sailors, from Italy or Sicily. For certain, we know that the dance in one of the oldest in Europe, which is still performed. First traces of Moreska dance comes from 1156, in Lerida. In 16th and 17th century dance spread to many Mediterranean countries, Italy, Corsica, Sicily, Malta, France, Spain, Germany... Today, Korcula is only place were dance is performed with real swords in its original War dance form. Dance starts with a short drama in blank verse, four characters recite the verses. Moreska came to Korcula in 16th century, just like in Dubrovnik, most likely from Sicily, via Venice. In World War II, swords, musical scores, instruments and costumes, had been lost in bombing and fighting. For the first time in history, very young ladies, between 12-17 years old, were be allowed to dance the Moreska.