Korčula (town)

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Korčula
native and official name until 1918
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image_caption = Old Town


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shield_size = 80px
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pushpin_map_caption = The location of Korčula within Croatia
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Croatia
subdivision_type1 = County
subdivision_name1 = Dubrovnik-Neretva county
subdivision_type2 = Island
subdivision_name2 = Korčula
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leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Mirko Duhović (SDP)
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population_as_of = 2001
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population_total = 5889
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timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=42 |latm=57 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=17 |longm=07 |longs=30 |longEW=E
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 20260
area_code = 020
blank_name = Licence plate
blank_info = DU
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website = [http://www.korcula.hr korcula.hr]
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Korčula ( _it. Curzola) is an ancient fortified town on the protected east coast of the island of Korčula, population 3,232 (2001), geographically located at 42°57′N, 17°07′E.

The walled old city, with streets arranged in a herringbone pattern allowing free circulation of air but protecting against strong winds, 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, called the Street of Thoughts as one did not have to worry about the steps. The town includes several interesting historic sights: the central Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of St Mark (built from 1301 to 1806), the 15th-century Franciscan monastery with its beautiful 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.

The devout Catholic inhabitants of Korčula keep alive old folk church ceremonies and a war dance (moreška, maresca), once (in the middle ages) performed all over the Mediterranean.

The city is notable for its Statute dating back to 1214 which prohibited slavery, making Korčula the first place in the world to outlaw the practice.

Korčula, like other islands and many coastal cities in Dalmatia, also displays a dual Latin-Slav culture which developed from the late Roman era to the emergence of the modern Croatian state. The island therefore possesses a distinct Adriatic or Mediterranean cultural personality which sets it apart from the mountainous Dalmatian hinterland and continental Croatia further north.

Gallery

External links

*http://www.korcula.net/ hr iconen icon
*http://www.ikorcula.net/ hr icon
*http://www.korcula.hr/ hr iconen iconen icon
*http://www.ikorculainfo.com/hr/ hr iconen iconen icon it icon cs icon pl icon sl icon
*http://www.korculainfo.com/ en iconde iconfr iconit icones iconpt icon
*http://www.croaziainfo.it/Korcula.html it icon