KORCULA - Croatia and Slovenia - page 409

St. Michael, one of Kor č ula's many religious fraternal organizations. (Another such organ-
ization, located farther down this street, hosts the Icon Museum, described later.)
• Now begin walking up the...

Street of the Korčulan Statute of 1214 (Ulica Korčulanskog Statuta 1214)
This street is Kor č ula's backbone, in more ways than one: While most medieval towns
slowly evolved with twisty, mazelike lanes, Kor č ula was carefully planned to resemble a
fish skeleton. The streets to the west (left) of this one are straight, to allow the refreshing
northwesterlyMaestralwindsintotown.Totheeast(right),they'recurved(noticeyoucan't
see the sea) to keep out the bad-vibe southeasterly Jugo winds. As in Croatia's other seafar-
ing towns, the various winds—and weather in general—are highly important to locals. For
more on this phenomenon, see the sidebar on here .
The street's complicated name honors a 1214 statute—the oldest known written law
in Central Europe—with regulations about everyday life and instructions on maintaining
the city walls, protecting nature, keeping animals, building a house, and so on. As you
head up the street, look up to notice some interesting decorations on the houses' upper
floors—artifactsfromanearliertime,whenresidentswereproudandwealthycitizensofthe
Republic of Venice.
• Speaking of Venice, if you continue up the street, you'll reach St. Mark's Square (Trg Sv.
Marka). From here, you're a few steps from the next four sights.

Street of the Korčulan Statute of 1214 (Ulica Korčulanskog Statuta 1214)

▲ St. Mark's Cathedral (Katedrala Sv. Marka)
Kor č ula became a bishopric in the 14th century. In the 19th century—36 bishops later—the
Habsburgs decided to centralize ecclesiastical power in their empire, and they removed
Kor č ula's bishop. The town still has this beautiful “cathedral”—but no bishop. On the or-
nately decorated tympanum above the main door (outside), you'll see another Venetian
statue of St. Mark (flanked by Adam and Eve). Inside, above the main altar, is an original
Tintoretto painting. At the altar to the left, find the statue of St. Rok (better known by his
Italian name, San Rocco) pointing to a wound in his leg. This French saint is very popular
in Croatia; it's believed he helps cure disease. As you leave, notice the weapons on the wall
near the door; these were used in pivotal battles near strategically situated Kor č ula.