History&People

Korčula’s Greek name is Korkyra Melaina (lat. Corcyra Nigra). Name Korkyra is tied to a legend of beautiful nymph Kerkyra, daughter of Asop, God of Rivers. Zeus, the God of the Sea, fell in love with her, kidnapped her and held her in captivity on the island. This name Korčula shares with the Greek island of Corfu in Ionian Sea. Epithet black (melaina) comes from the dense pine woods which appear black when watched from the sea. Korčula is mentioned as Krkar by Konstantine porfirogenet in 10th century. The inhabitants of Korčula today use all the benefits of the modern age, while at the same time they respect the tradition and live in keeping compliance with nature.
Almost every family is engaged in agriculture, mostly wine grapes and olives, together with the job that ensures them their existence. Some families live solely from agriculture.
It is hard to establish with certainty which place on the island is the oldest, some say Pupnat, some Blato... What is certain, however, is that the island of Korčula is inhabited from the ancient times. Illyrians were the first inhabitants, they were followed by the Greeks and the Romans. Croats came to the island in the 7th century. They all left their marks on the island; every place keeps secrets of ancient history. It is a part of the beauty of this, for tourists, still undiscovered island.