Tradition and events of Korcula island, Croatia

Tradition and events of Korcula island, Croatia

Living in island of Korcula

The people of Korcula use everything what the modern age offers, while at the same time they cherish and respect and live in keeping compliance with nature and tradition.

The typical family on the island of Korcula is envolved in agriculture, mostly in olives and wine grape that ensures them their existence together with their job.

 

Sword dances in Korcula island

Island of Korcula is proud on many old traditions and customs, some of them are: Sword (knight) dances On the patron's day of a particular place Knight dances are performed.

Numerous tourists can enjoy them because nowdays they are performed more often and not only one day per year. Kumpanija is performed in Vela Luka, Blato, Cara, Smokvica, Zrnovo and Pupnat.

Moreska is performed in Korcula and Mostra in Zrnovo. This dances present a real spectacle and show the battles between national army and the conquerors.

Klapa is a group of nine or six singers. Accapela style is a style Klapas used to sing in a tavern or by the shore for their own pleasure or in the evening in the center of the town.

Klapas used to sing serenades under their loved one's window in the evening hours, that was their way of courting to woman. This way of courtship is a true rarity in todays world.

Klapas singing still stayed till this day and in the summer you can listen and see them in restaurants, concerts and taverns. Tourists will love to experience a true soul of Dalmatia and not miss to listen to live singing. European non-material cultural heritage has now included Klapa singing in their own group.

On the day of The Three Kings carnival time begins and lasts until the beginning of the Lent. It is a time of fun and joy. Each town in Korcula organizes its own dance and costumes, that kind of festivals are also organized in summer time.

Vrtujci, Toretas and Meje

Vrtujci and Toretas The way they look like is they are dry wall structures built in a very special way by round ipling of stone panels. In the past they were used as a shelter from rain.

They are coved with conic truss. In the past people keep their farm tools there. In Vela Luka region there are around 15 of them. 4,23 m is measured as the biggest one. Similar structures can be found in a small town of Smokvica in their vineyards, over there are known as 'toretas'. Smokvica is keeping five 'toretas'.

'Meje' are dry walls or stone terraces. They are the proof of imense agricultural activity, winegrape cultivation and farming. These stone terraces have historically prevented the earth washed down by the rain.