Kanavelić Tower

Korčula Old Town sits on a small, oval peninsula on the island of the same name, and for centuries its position, the sea on all sides and a ring of walls and towers, made it a strong and wealthy port on the Adriatic Sea under the Republic of Venice. The Kanavelić Tower is one of the towers on that line of defence. It carries the name of the Kanavelić family, a noble family of Korčula associated with the poet and playwright Petar Kanavelić, who lived in the 17th century and is remembered as one of the notable literary figures of the island.

The walls of Korčula took shape between the 13th and 15th centuries and were strengthened in the following centuries, as the threat from pirates and Ottoman ships grew. Towers stood along the line at intervals, each serving as a lookout point, a firing platform and a place for storing arms. Several of them have survived, among them the Large Governor's Tower (Veliki Revelin Tower), the Zakrjan Tower (Zakerjan Tower) and the Land Gate (Kopnena Vrata) with the Revelin Tower, and the Kanavelić Tower is part of the same group. Built of the pale local limestone, with thick walls and small openings, these towers give the town its fortified skyline when seen from the sea.

The interior of the tower is generally not open to visitors, and the experience lies in seeing it from the streets and the walls around it. A good way to see the tower is to walk the old town slowly. The streets of Korčula follow a distinctive herringbone pattern, with a main spine and short lanes branching off to each side, which is often explained as a way of channelling cooling breezes and breaking the force of the cold bura wind. The alleys are narrow, paved with stone and lined with tall houses, and from the end of a lane you may catch a glimpse of the sea and of the walls and towers above the water.

The town offers plenty to combine with the tower. The Marco Polo House, said by local tradition to be linked with the famous traveller's family, the West Gate and the Cathedral of St. Mark are all close, and in summer the Moreška sword dance is performed near the Land Gate. Further afield, Moro Beach Club on a nearby islet offers a stylish swimming stop.

The tower is best visited early in the morning or at sunset, when the stone glows and the streets are quiet, and it can be seen in a few minutes. It suits history enthusiasts, photographers and anyone exploring Korčula on foot.