Smokvica is one of the five old settlements on the island of Korčula, where the continuity of human life has been uninterrupted from prehistoric times to the present day. Although Smokvica is mentioned in the Korčula Statute from 1214, Illyrian Gradina fortress from the second millennium B.C. and the site of the old Croatian cemetery not far from the present cemetery are proof that life in these areas existed much earlier.
The old core of the town is not far from the church of St. Mihovila, which used to be well fortified and was built on a rock that overlooks all the main roads to Smokvica. Throughout history, the population constantly had to fight against various invaders. In In 1571 a great battle was fought against the Turkish at the “Bloody Robbery” site. The legend of this battle still lives today, and the reconstruction of this historical event takes place every year in July. In memory of the battles and the role of guardian of Smokvica, the Kumpanija was developed, a knightly dance with swords that depicts the struggle of the locals against the invaders.
Numerous cultures have changed over time in the area of Smokvica, as evidenced by the remains of ancient ceramics, ancient Greek wine presses, former rustic villas, medieval churches and castles of Korčula nobles.
The bay of Brna is the safest harbour on the southern side of the island Korcula. Because of this favourable caractestic, it has always served as important import-export center not only for Smokvica but also for other villages on the island. The village developed in 19th century as a port for the transport of wine from Smokvica to other destinations along the coast. Exports included wine, olive oil, and pine logs for ship building. The name of the village comes from the Latin word ‘tavern’ which means a ships workshop. Everything that the inhabitants of Smokvica and the island needed was brought in through here.
In 1960s the first tourists started coming to the village, and with them the renting of private accommodation in Brna and Smokvica started developing. With an increase of numbers of tourists arose a need for more accomodation capacity, and in 1971 the hotel was built. Today, Brna is a tourist destination with numerous facilities.
Wine and Olives, the main activities
Throughout the centuries, the main activities in Smokvica have been wine and olive growing . The fields of Smokvica are a home to vineyards with about two million grape vines and are olive orchards with 176,000 olive trees. Pošip, a premium wine from Croatia, is the first legally protected white wine in Croatia and its origins are from the hills of Smokvica. In 1953, a winery was built in Smokvica, and today there are numerous wineries in Smokvica that, in addition to wine, also offer olive oil, as well as liqueurs and brandies.
Besides wine and olive-makers, the people of Smokvica have always been also stone makers, ship builders and fisherman. Stone facades, stare cases and streets show wealth of stonemasonry tradition, and fishing is regular activity on the bay of Brna.
Churches of Smokvica and Brna
The Parish Churche of Smokvica is The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Purification (Crkva Ociscenja Marijina, also known as Crkva Gospe Kandalore). It is located in the center of Smokvica and it stands out with its large bell tower and neo-Romanesque style. The church was built in 1920 on the foundations of a church from the 17th century. Right next to it there is squares Great and Small Square (Vela i Mala Pijaca) with the Venetian loggia dating form the 17th century. The squares and the loggia are have for centuries been the center of the main events and festivities.
On a hill above the town you will find the small Church of Sveti Mihovil, a local church built in 1372. Only a short walk up the hill from Smokivca, you will be rewarded a fantastic panoramic view over the vineyards and olive groves, all the way to the sea.
Here are some other local churches which you will find in this area:
- St.Andrew’s Church (Sveti Andrija) – built in 1346, located in Dračevica vineyard, right above the road to Cara village
- St.Peter’s Church (Sveti Petar) – also built in 14th century, located near Siknica (Sitnica) field, above the path to Blato St
- John The Baptist Church (Sveti Ivan Krstitelj) – built in 1391, located above Siknica (Sitnica) field, near Studenac pond.
- St Vitus Church (Sveti Vid) – built in 1420, located at the very top of Marca Vrh hill, in vicinity of Siknica (Sitnica) field.
- St Anna’s Church (Sveta Ana) – built in 1500’s, located in Prapratna vineyard.
- St Cyprian’s Church (Sveti Ciprijan) – dates from 5th or 6th Century, rebuilt in 1896. Probably the first parish church of the village. Located at the village cemetery.
- St Steven’s Church (Sveti Stjepan) – built in 1974 , located in Brna.
The Heritage of the Island of Korcula
Evidence of prehistoric life can be found on several localities on the island. The oldest are findings of stone knives dating from the neolithic on the island of Badija, near the city of Korčula, while the most eminent and richest Mediterranean archaeological cave site is Vela Spila in Vela Luka. Apart from the Vela Spila cave, there are two more archaeological sites from ancient history on the island, Žukovica Cave (near Račišće) and the Jakas Cave (near Žrnovo).
VELA SPILA (BIG CAVE)
This archaeological next to Vela Luka had been inhabited since the prehistoric times. The archaeological finds from this site prove that several prehistoric communities lived here and used the cave in their every-day life, as well as for burying their dead. Vela Spila can be reached easily by foot or by car from Vela Luka. The local findings are currently preserved in the Vela Luka Centre of Culture.
PSEPHISM OF LUMBARDA
The Psephism of the neigbouring village of Lumbarda originates from the 3rd century B.C. It gives evidence of the existence of Greek settlements in this area. A psephism is a historical lapidary document. It represents one of the rarest preserved testimonies of the foundation of a city in Antiquity. It is kept in the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, while the findings from the destroyed necropolis from the area of Sutivan, dating back to the 3rd Century B.C., are kept in the City Museum in Korčula.
THE STATUTE OF THE ISLAND OF KORCULA
This statute dates from the 13th century and is the second oldest example of legislation among Slavs. Experts believe that it was first drafted in 1214, while the reforms were continously added until the 16th century. In 2014 it celebrated its 800th anniversary. The oldest part of The Statute is written in Medieval Latin. It was printed in Venice in 1643. Two old handwritten copies are preserved, one of which is kept in Rome, and the other in the private collection of the Kapor family in Korčula.
