More Korcula

I can not resist - you know you are in a Cold War era hotel when.... the evacuation plan on the back of the door is a blank piece of paper. The second photo is the view from the window which made up for other shortfalls.

Today we started the day where we finished dinner last night.  Our host, Frank, walked us around the town, pointing out small family farm plots, which houses had been owned by the Venetian aristocracy. how families build onto houses for subsequent generations and walking us to the local church which served four surrounding communities.  We had to cross a small highway to get to the church as the town is still waiting for a bridge long ago promised.  The church also has a lifesize statue of Pope John Paul. Touring this nation, one might think he was the only pope rather than the only Slavic pope.

We also toured a natural labyrinth, all collection of boulders and caves with their own micro-climate, quite a bit different than the rest of the island.  While the sun was hot a strong and dry on the early walk and the walk to the labyrinth but once inside, it was cool, and moist-a welcome respite.

After a fish lunch at the Beni Konoba, we walked back into town and met a guide for the tour of the castle.

Centuries ago, this region was divided between the Austrian Hungarian empire, (most of where we have been), the Venetian empire, the Ottoman empire and the Dubrovnik republic.  Korcula was the eastern defense of the Venetian empire.  We also learned about Marco Polo who definitely passed through this area and some say was born here.