Authentic Croatia – Stone house love in Blato, Korcula

Croatia became a popular tourist destination in the last years. Especially along the region along the Adriatic coast and the islands are popular summer destinations. Therefore, it becomes increasingly difficult to find a non-touristy place in Croatia. Where you can experience the authenticity of the country and culture.

Back in the days, Croatia was a popular Austrian and German family holiday destination. Prices were cheaper than in Italy. But Croatia soon caught up, the number of visitors and the revenues in tourism grew year after year. Tourism from other European nations and overseas arrived. That came so far that the authorities need to tackle it on the island Hvar. Here you will find advice on the proper rules of conduct, including fines for anyone who does not follow these rules.

If you are searching for the true authentic Croatia, then you came to the right blog post. I’m going to introduce to you a lovely small town in the heart of the island of Korcula. Hear my story about how I fell in love with the beautiful stone houses on this Croatian island.

My connection to this authentic island of Croatia, Korcula

Initially, I need to give you a little backstory of how I actually came across Blato.

Korčula is one of many Croatian islands. It is in the very south of the country, in the Croatian region of Dalmatia.
This place is the second home for my neighbors. They visit Korčula every year around August/September, and they stay there at a holiday rental apartment in a lovely stone house. Over the years, they become friends with the owners of the house. Thus, it became a tradition that whenever they visit Korčula the owners will stay at the apartment on the house’s first floor. While my neighbors stay on the second floor. They have dinner together, go on walks, or help at the wine harvest. I remember every time after my neighbors’ holidays; they come back with all kinds of treats: olives, grapes, grape juice, olive oil and figs.

Finally, on my Balkan trip, I had the chance to visit this unique island of Croatia, from which I heard so much. I stayed with them in the lovely stone house, joined them for dinners, and listened to the stories of their hosts. During my stay, I learned a lot about the island’s history and authentic lifestyle on this Croatian island.

The history of Korcula and town of Blato

Ivo, the host of the place, has several plots on the island for tourism rentals. At dinner, he told me a lot about the exciting history of this unique Croatian island. Korčula was well known for its wine production. The land here has particular soil to grow grapes and olives. Unfortunately, a lot of people have left the island, because of the phylloxera plague after the First World War. Many Croatians emigrated to South America or Australia.

Also, the communist era is seen by a walk through Blato. Every street is called “Ulica” and the number. Ulica is the Croatian word for street. The street name system from the communist time.

A little town tour through Blato shows this loss of inhabitants. Blato is a little town in the middle of the island. And if you are interested in off-the-beaten-path destinations, I recommend exploring this town by yourself. I hope you have as much fun as I have had.

The influence of stone houses on my sleep in Korcula, Croatia

I stay a couple of nights with my neighbors in the holiday apartment. The only sleeping option that was left was a couch. And it was definitely too small for me. But my grateful heart and Couchsurfing soul were thankful. I expected a short and uncomfortable night. However, my expectations did not come true. I slept like a stone in a stone house. Not even the huge thunderstorm woke me up.

I was so surprised by the depth of my sleep. My neighbor told me that it is probably a stone house. Her sleep in the house is also very different. When it influences my sleep so significantly, what else can it influence?

Since then, I dream of having my own stone house. Or at least I’m inspired to vacation in stone houses more often. I hope it also inspires you.

That shows how much your well-being can be influenced by the environment around you. When building quick cardboard houses, people forget how beneficial it can be to use natural materials.

Walk through an authentic Croatian island town

We were four ladies off to explore Blato. Driving down the second-longest linden alley in Europe, that is the main street of Blato, before we parked the car. My friends wanted to show me a viewpoint, so we wander along the narrow streets, stone house after stone house. From tumbledown to old and vacant to new houses with lovely gardens. The path began to rise slightly. Behind every corner, something new surprises us: a beautiful house, a chapel, or flowers. After a while, a gorgeous view stretches in front of us. In the corner, I found a fig and almond tree, nuts laying on the ground. I use a stone to open it and taste the best almonds I ever had. The nut was very soft, not what I used to know from the supermarket.

On the way down, we cross the main town square of Blato. A church separated from its tower and a loggia, invites us for a rest in the shadow. We took a few pictures and continue our exploration walk through this authentic Croatian town.

The most spectacular viewpoint of Blato

The next stop was on the opposite hill, the Church of the Mother of God of Health. On the way there, we came across more decayed stone houses. It showcased to us the loss of inhabitants in this town. My neighbors had a small chitchat with a local. And we started to climb up the steep part of the path. To reach the most incredible place:

A church at the top of the other hill and an incredible view from landscapes covered in trees, bushes, and vineyards to the sea. No one was there, only we were surrounded by the calmness of this place. Indeed, a unique place in Blato on Korcula, a little church made of stone on the hill above the town.

Blato in Korcula is waiting for your visit

The stone houses on this Croatian island are definitely worth a visit and certainly suitable for one or the other photo session. Exploring and photographing this city was one of my favorite moments of my entire Balkan trip.

I hope my story gave you a little taste of the authentic town of Korcula and inspiration to travel more off-beaten tracks. Away from mass tourism, dive into the lifestyle and culture of real Croatia.

The best time to visit Korcula, Blato

The best time to visit Blato is probably from April to October/November. However, if you want to avoid high numbers of tourists, then it is better to visit before the season in April or May or after the season in September or October. The autumn months are harvest time. So for the gourmets among you, there is only one time when you should come to Croatia. 😉