Discover Blato: Culture and tradition on Korčula

Blato offers a range of cultural points of interest to help you plan your trip: sacred sites, Kumpanjija, and insights into traditional crafts and everyday life. Places highlighted for visitors include the Parish Church of All Saints, the square in front of it, the town loggia, the Barilo Ethno House and the Sanctuary of Blessed Marija Petković. The following stops will help you put Blato and the wider destination of Općina Blato into context.

The sanctuary and Kumpanjija in Blato

The Sanctuary of Blessed Marija Propetog Petković contains her tomb in a stone sarcophagus and a small museum about her life and work. The sanctuary is said to be open year-round. It is best to confirm visiting arrangements before your trip.

Kumpanjija, Blato’s traditional sword dance, is a distinctive cultural feature. The performance is accompanied by a drum and bagpipes. During the Blato Summer, Kumpanjija performs every week in the square in front of the parish church; the main annual performance takes place on 28 April. Check the schedule for the days you plan to visit.

Culture in the wider destination of Općina Blato

At the Barilo Ethno House in Blato, an ethnographic collection displays agricultural tools, traditional clothing, kitchen utensils, handicrafts, fishing equipment and stone household objects. The Ethno House also offers tastings of homemade liqueurs, rakija, arancini, roasted almonds and dried figs made according to traditional recipes. It is best to check the tasting arrangements in advance.

The Parish Church of All Saints in Blato has several historical and cultural connections to the wider destination of Općina Blato: documents mention it as early as the 14th century. The church preserves an altarpiece depicting All Saints and the Madonna and Child by Girolamo da Santacroce. The relics of Saint Vincenca are also kept there and are carried in a procession through the town every year on 28 April.

The local dialect, Govor Blata na Korčuli, is also part of Općina Blato’s cultural heritage: it is registered as intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia under number Z-7801. Kopila is an archaeological site in the municipality of Blato, with remains of a Hellenistic necropolis. Areas within the municipality are also part of the Natura 2000 ecological network.

The second floor of the Blato Cultural Centre is a modern gallery named after Nataša Cetinić, an artist from Blato. It is intended as an exhibition space for academic artists from Blato, the island and other places.

Annual celebrations and when to visit

In the wider destination of Općina Blato, Blato Week takes place every year from 23 to 28 April. The programme includes concerts, exhibitions, religious processions and folk performances. 28 April is also the date of the main annual Kumpanjija performance and the procession with the relics of Saint Vincenca. When planning your visit, you can distinguish these traditions with fixed dates from the weekly Kumpanjija performances during the Blato Summer. Check the programme and specific performance dates for your travel dates.

Another recurring occasion is the Lumblija tradition: every year on All Saints’ Day, traditionally prepared Lumblija is blessed and tasted in the main square, Plokata. The “Days of Lumblija” event is also held. Check the programme for the “Days of Lumblija” before your trip.

Blato, its bays and how to get there

Within the wider destination of Općina Blato, Blato is located in the centre of the island of Korčula. Accommodation is available in the surrounding bays, which stretch for 40 km along the north and south sides of the island.

After arriving by car ferry at the ferry port of Vela Luka, you can reach Blato by car. Vela Luka is 7 km from Blato. Check the ferry timetable for your travel day.

Walking trails, cycling routes and activities in the destination

There are six marked walking trails in Općina Blato: Lungo Mare, Belvedere, Tragom povijesti, Sudbinska luka, Korčula na dlanu and Put Blažene M. Petković. The Belvedere trail runs for 4.5 km from Prižba via Sv. Marko to Prišćapac. The municipality also has more than 140 km of signposted cycling routes. Check the trail markings and conditions before setting out.

There is a dive centre on the Prišćapac peninsula, where professional staff organise diving trips and courses. Prišćapac is also a tourist resort with a pebble beach and additional tourist services. The small islands off Blato’s south coast are popular secluded destinations for visits by kayak and motorboat. Check in advance for current diving courses and trips.

Discover more destinations

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Back to the overview of the wider destination: Općina Blato.