Land Gate (Kopnena Vrata) and Revelin Tower

The Land Gate, Kopnena Vrata in Croatian, is the main entrance to the old town of Korčula from the landward side, and it is one of the most photogenic gateways on the Adriatic. Korčula Town occupies a small peninsula at the eastern end of the island, and the Land Gate is placed at the southern end of the walls, where the peninsula joins the rest of the island. Visitors arriving on foot from the harbour or the bus stop climb a wide, formal staircase to the arched opening, and passing through it, they leave the open space of the outer square for the stone lanes inside.

The gate is closely linked with the large Revelin tower beside it, which is covered in another entry in this guide as the Large Governor's Tower. Together they form the strongest part of the town's defences. The tower was built in the late fifteenth century, in the 1480s, as an artillery tower to protect the entrance, and the gate itself was given its present monumental form with the Baroque staircase in the seventeenth century, when the old defences were adapted for display as well as protection. Above the arch, a carved Lion of St. Mark, the emblem of the Venetian Republic, recalls the centuries during which Korčula belonged to Venice. The mix of strong medieval stonework and later decoration gives the entrance a theatrical quality.

The tower has been restored in recent decades, and when it is open, visitors may be able to climb to a terrace at the top, from which there are wide views over the roofs of the old town, the channel between Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula and the sea beyond. It is worth checking opening times locally, since access depends on the season and on the use of the building. Even when the interior is closed, the stairs and gate are a spectacle, and it is pleasant to sit on the steps and watch the activity in the square, where cafes and bars have tables in the evenings.

The gate marks the start of the town's fishbone street plan, with a main street leading from the gate toward the cathedral and smaller lanes branching off. The walls and towers around the old town, including the Kanavelić Tower, the Zakerjan Tower and the West Gate, are listed in this guide and make a natural circuit. Korčula is also the place where, according to local tradition, Marco Polo was born, and a house said to be his is a popular stop.

Wear shoes with good grip, since the stone steps are worn smooth, and visit early or late in the day to avoid the crowds. Allow thirty minutes for the gate and tower, and more for the old town. The site suits history lovers and photographers.