Croatia - The historic town of Korčula

The form of the town of Korčula is primarily determined by the form of the little peninsula protruding into Channel of PeljeSac, (large about l nlm), on the northern side of the island of Korčula, (superficies about 272 km2). The strategic position favoured, and the natural setting enabled its complete encirclement with walls, which correspond with the line of the sea shore. They enclose the ellipse, (310x175 m), of the domical hill with the large cathedral and high belfry rising on the top. The surrounding architecture covers the entire perimeter of the peninsula, and its only connection with the main island is cut off by an artificial trench. The bridge across it was the main entrance to the town, whose design is based on a fish bone pattern. Its spine is the longest street, protruding directly towards north. It is crossed by about a dozen shorter streets, which on the other end meet the circumferential one. The symmetrical order permitted the cohesion of the collective living of the limited number of people, (1000 at most), but also their fastest approach to the walls in case of danger from the outside.