ST. MARK'S CATHEDRAL (KATEDRALA SV. MARKA)

Dominating the city, the cathedral is Korčula's most prestigious building. Its construction was prompted by two key events: the establishment of the bishopric in the ^14th century, and the economic prosperity brought about by the noble workmanship of the limestone cut on the island. The same stone that was used for its construction in the ^17th century. Fragments of abandoned churches and old houses found on site were also used. It had to be.

Based on a Romanesque basilica with three naves and a Gothic-Renaissance elevation, the huge construction site, in which many Korčula and Italian artists took part, took almost a century to complete. The portal sculptures were created by the master Bonino da Malino. On either side, consoles feature lions holding a lamb in their claws and, below, Adam and Eve in their original position.

The campanile, built before the cathedral, was sculpted by a local artist. It is now open to visitors, offering a 360° view of the old town's surroundings and revealing its inner workings. Above the second floor, the clock face and, just below, a small movable metal ball, painted black and gold, indicate the phases of the moon. The second part of the bell tower was built by Marko Andrijić, one of the island's best-known craftsmen. Inside the cathedral, the shape of the ceiling is reminiscent of an inverted ship's hull. Behind the ciborium, on the wall, hangs a painting by Jacopo Tintoretto, painted in 1550, depicting Saints Mark, Jerome and Bartholomew.

Biskupska palača. The bishop's palace of Korčula was founded in 1300. On the basis of the first, rather modest building, the bishop's residence gradually expanded to include the neighboring houses. The most important works took place under Franjo Manola (1643-1664). The large balcony bearing the coat of arms and the inscription "Bishop Franjo Manola of Split erected St. Mark's in the year of our Lord 1654" was built. From 1868, the palace was abandoned, then demolished and rebuilt. Some parts (portal elements, windows, inscriptions and the large balcony) were reused in the construction of the current building, a neo-Baroque palace, where the cathedral treasure is on display, along with a rich collection of Renaissance paintings, ancient manuscripts and ceremonial costumes.